The Former Senior Government Officials (FSGO), an organization of former senior government officials, notes with deep satisfaction the current attention and focus, in both traditional and social media, on issues of governance. We have always maintained that integrity and efficiency are the twin pillars of good governance which, in turn, could be the key to the more meaningful and inclusive development of our country.
No country could, of course, take pride in having three currently sitting senators suspended and undergoing criminal prosecution for plunder, a former president in detention and being prosecuted for the same crime, a chief justice convicted in impeachment proceedings, and an ombudsman forced to resign. Nor could we claim any prizes for having former Cabinet members, a chief of the national police force and a sitting Vice President being publicly investigated by the Senate for this seemingly “common” crime of plunder.
But our people have long complained of corruption in our government, and current developments show a renewed vigor in pursuing these generalized allegations. We can take pride in that we have now gone beyond criticizing and taken the next steps in improving governance.
There are many who could claim credit for the progress we see. The organized citizenry has been unrelenting in their advocacy for transparency in government. The Senate has been a hospitable forum for high-profile investigations. The whistle-blowers have gained courage to expose the big crimes they participated in, even if they themselves risk prosecution in the process. Many in media, led by independent social media practitioners, and now supported by traditional media, have used their skills and facilities in properly sharing relevant information with the general public. And the present administration has effectively created an atmosphere conducive to a more open inquiry on matters of integrity in governance.
It is fortunate that these developments have come way ahead of the next political exercise to choose our leaders. We hope that all of these would help our voters understand the need for greater discernment when it is time to exercise our sacred responsibility to cast our votes. We can only hope that although our system of governance is still a work in progress, we will soon graduate to a better system.
—FORMER SENIOR
GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS,
Unit 1110 Prestige Tower,
Ortigas Center, Pasig City