By Perfecto T. Raymundo, Jr.
QUEZON CITY – The Artikulo Onse: Citizens’ War Against Corruption was launched on Monday (Aug. 25) here at Max’s Restaurant in Quezon Memorial Circle with the theme: “Stop Corruption in Philippine Society. Walang Puwang ang Korapsyon sa Isang Maka-Diyos na Bansa” urging President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos, Jr. to create an Independent Commission, through an Executive Order, to investigate the alleged corruption in government projects.
It was highlighted that Article 11 of the 1987 Philippine Constitution provides that “A public office is a public trust”.
The Artikulo Onse will launch a “Shame Campaign” if there is sufficient evidence of corruption against an individual or a group both in public or private sector.
In a press conference, Atty. Jose Virgilio “JV” Bautista, Secretary General of United Nationalist Alliance (UNA), said that as it is National Heroes’ Day, it is fitting and proper to launch a movement such as the Artikulo Onse.
Atty. Bautista cited the current surfacing of details of alleged graft and corruption in government projects.
He said that most of the Members of Congress are now contractors themselves. Since the time of President Corazon “Cory” Cojuangco Aquino, there has been such anomalous projects.
He added that party-list lawmakers are also contractors themselves and he would like to participate in the initiatives that are being taken against corruption.
“The voice of the people should be strengthened,” he said.
“The Congress itself is saying that there really is corruption,” he added.
Bautista urged the Filipinos to come out and put to shame the corrupt.
“Article 11 now requires that a public office is a public trust,” he said.
“The Condonation principle was abandoned by the Supreme Court (SC) in favor of “Accountability”, he added.
Bautista said that the applause of the lawmakers on the pronouncement of President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. during his 4th SONA last July 28, “Mahiya Naman Kayo,” is just like “normalizing corruption”.
Bautista noted that in China, people caught stealing with due process, are shot to death.
“It takes three to tango,” he said referring to people involved in alleged commission of corruption.
“Corruption has long been there. It has become existential,” he added.
As a lawyer himself, Bautista believes that people who are proven to be involved in corruption should only be penalized with imprisonment.
He said that an Ombudsman serves with a fixed term of seven years and even a retired Associate Justice of the SC is applying to the post of Ombudsman.
He added that the appointment of former UP College of Law Dean Darlene Berberabe as the Solicitor General was a “good appointment” and based on the merits.
Bautista said that the Members of the Independent Commission which may be created by an Executive Order, must come from the Clergy, retired Magistrate, Labor, or people with credibility and integrity.
He added that Baguio City Mayor Benjamin “Benjie” Magalong will be a good Member of the Independent Commission.
Bautista also said that House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez should be replaced as “he is the most corrupt there (House)” and he was the one who appointed Rep. Zaldy as the Chairman of the powerful House Committee on Appropriations.
Bautista served as Congressman 20 years ago where he termed the House Committee on National Defense as the “Old Boys Club”.
Lorenzo “Erin” Tañada III, Acting President of Liberal Party of the Philippines (LP), said that the fight against corruption should not stop at just saying “Mahiya Naman Kayo”.
Tanada cited that Infrastructure is now the talk of the town.
The “historical judgement” on the Marcoses may be erased if the campaign against corruption should push through and through.
Tanada is pushing for a genuine freedom of information where there is transparency for every level.
“We call on the current administration to have that courage to create an Independent Commission…to shed the light and find where the money goes,” Tanada said.
He expressed the hope that with the help of the people and the media, the President will create an Independent Commission to investigate the alleged corruption in government projects where people should be consulted on the appointment of Members of the Independent Commission, who must have integrity, credibility and probity.
“The Omnibus Election Code is even older than the 1987 Constitution,” Tanada said referring to the requirements in the Commission on Elections (Comelec).
Leodegario “Ka Leody” De Guzman, Chairperson of Partido Lakas ng Masa (PLM), said that it’s not only during the Marcos administration that the alleged incidents of graft and corruption were committed.
“This is already a system of our governance. In billions, in trillions and it may reach P1.3 trillion in the budget, including the DPWH, will be stolen,” De Guzman said.
He added that the root cause of corruption is dynasty, which is the type of politicians who are now lording it over.
De Guzman cited the conviction of businesswoman Janet Lim Napoles, who was sentenced to suffer an imprisonment term of 55 years for graft and corruption.
He termed as “hyprocrites’ the lawmakers who are talking too much.
De Guzman noted that in China, they are making busts to corrupt people, which should also be adopted in the country.
Atty. Renecio “Luke” S. Espiritu, Jr., President of Bukluran ng Manggagawang Pilipino (BMP), said that the enrichment due to the alleged anomalous flood control projects should be exposed.
“Without attaining the 1.5 degrees reduction in the emission of fossilized fuel during the climate emergency, everything will be irreversible, 90% of coral reefs will be destroyed, extreme weather events, wildfires, floodings in coastal areas worldwide, and the humanity is danger of extinction,” Espiritu said.
The Philippines is identified as the most vulnerable when it comes to climate emergency, where flooding is like that of hit by a nuclear bomb.
A comprehensive climate adaptation plan is needed because there will be people who will die, and there are already dying, with the climate crisis.
“The Philippines will be vulnerable to climate emergency without the climate adaptation in place,” Espiritu said.
He added that all those involved in anomalous flood control projects should be put behind bars.
Espiritu said that the Ombudsman is the “Tribune of the People”, which means “Champion of the People”, who is not beholden to the appointing authority, and he can call out everyone in government.
He cited former Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago who was then Immigration Commissioner, but she acted as a “Tribune of the People” as he was not beholden to the appointing authority.
Espiritu added that corruption will always be embedded in the budget because of corrupt politicians emanating from political dynasties.
Ricky Rivera said tha there are already 77 cities, who are the “eyes and ears” of Artikulo Onse nationwide who are determined to document, expose and put to shame people proven to be engaged in corruption.
Rivera added that the data collated will be posted on the website of the Artikulo Onse, including the videos, and charges will be filed against the corrupt.
He cited Architect Jun Palafox who said that the campaign against corruption should start first with the coming out of the witnesses or whistleblowers themselves and expose the alleged corruption.
“Tama na ang Onsehan. Ipaglaban ang Mamamayan,” he quoted Atty. Siegfred Mison as saying.
Also present were representatives from NGOs, civil society organizations, church and youth sectors, as well as members of the AFP, PNP, and business leaders. ###
