Duterte should learn from Vico’s anti-corruption drive

The recent report that Pasig City Mayor Vico Nubla Sotto has been hailed as one of 12 international anti-corruption champions should serve as a wake-up call for President Duterte.

It will be recalled that Sotto, in the early days of his term as Pasig City top executive, issued an order that can be termed as a local government version of a freedom of information (FOI) law. This action of the mayor made him a trailblazing crusader against graft and irregularities in public service. It also did not go unnoticed, with the US state department now commending Sotto as one of the world’s top anti-corruption leaders.

How about the Philippines’ national officials led by Mr. Duterte? What is the administration’s score on this matter? Sad to say, it is still zero. Nada. Wala. Nothing.

If only the President had certified the necessity of FOI and the legislative branch of government did its job, the problem of corruption could have long been a thing of the past. Alas, the President did not give a damn that corruption still exists and persists.

What happened to the anti-

corruption promise that he made during the 2016 presidential campaign? Corruption instead became more rampant; the financial scandal in PhilHealth is a very embarrassing example.

Wake up, Mr. Duterte! The people are so fed up. Gising!

—————-

EUSEBIO S. SAN DIEGO, founder, Kaguro and former president, Quezon City Public School Teachers Association

[email protected]