Two of the most successful programs on battling corruption in the country were those of the late Justice Efren Plana who served as Bureau of Internal Revenue Commissioner, and former Bureau of Customs Commissioner Willie Parayno. Justice Plana used information to prosecute those who abused their power. Commissioner Parayno systematized processes and organized them into an information technology.
Justice Plana organized data on the lifestyles of BIR officials and used them to exact accountability. Officials were made to explain and present documents on how they were able to finance the construction of posh homes, expensive cars, travels abroad, and education of their children, with their government salaries. Those who were unable to sufficiently explain their lifestyles were fired, suspended, and prosecuted in courts. Justice Plana threatened to expose those who brought shame to their families. For Filipinos, it is a mortal sin to dishonor one’s family.
Commissioner Willie Parayno was extremely skilled on simplifying processes and translating systems into technology. He knocked down more than 40 steps in transacting with Customs and eliminated several signatures and opportunities for commissions and bribes. He then made all transactions “on-line” which instituted transparency and eliminated face-to-face negotiations with examiners. Payments were made in banks which did away with the practice of “open drawers” in Customs. He built a data base on importers and instituted a Green lane for those with “clean transactions”. The Green Lane saved importers valuable time and resources since their cargoes were released within 24 hours; a significant incentive to be “clean”. Being with the Red Lane was a disincentive because the review and scrutiny of cargoes took longer. The transparent processes so encouraged businesses that they helped the Bureau in data collection and organization. Of course, Commissioner Willie Parayno was helped by the valuation of goods by an independent entity at the port of exportation and most importantly, a President who covered his back. A strong political will is the lynchpin of any corruption program. All dragons must be slain regardless of political connections.
It was of no surprise that the successor of Commissioner Parayno suspended all his programs. Corruption thrives in situations that provide discretionary powers to government officials. Corruption is powered by the lack of transparency that blurs accountability. Corruption grows with the absence of the rule of law and complicated systems.
While the organization of a Super Task Force to stop corruption is a good beginning, it is sporadic, knee-jerk and reactive. While corruption is considered an endemic problem in the country, we have demonstrated the capacity to control it, if not to stop it. But neither an Independent Task Force, nor an increase in government salaries are sufficient. We have institutions in government that are mandated to check compliance to our laws and spurious conduct of government personnel. We have had a series of salary increases of government personnel; and still, corruption problem is as strong as ever. There are weaknesses in our systems that need to be corrected.
We can learn from the Plana and Parayno experiences. An anti-corruption program has to be part of the system of operations of all government offices. This requires a review of all processes to cut red tape to simplify compliance and administration. What steps can be eliminated? What powers can be given up? Government must harness the power of technology to transform most transactions on- line.
Justice Plana demonstrated that accountability is not an abstract term. In fact it is synonymous with a song—“It is a sin to tell a lie.” But instead of following the lyrics of the song that say “If you break my heart, I’ll die”, we must shift the consequences from the victim to the doer and perpetrator.
Corruption in many ways is similar to tax evasion. People will not evade and engage in corruption if they know that they will be caught and will be punished. I found it surprising though that in one of our studies, people said that they know they will be caught. But they continue being corrupt because they know they can get away with it. Corruption demands changes in behavior. And changes can only be brought if those who dishonor their families and country are chastised and meted out punishment that they deserve.