We’re all sick and tired of all the massive corruption going on in government with billions and trillions of pesos allegedly pocketed by unscrupulous government officials and conniving contractors. This is something that’s hard to wrap our heads around, considering the sheer scale of thievery on a national basis.

But corruption exists on a lesser scale at all levels of government, which is what we can do something about on an individual basis. Simply put, corruption is a two-way affair. There has to be a corruptor and a corruptee. One cannot exist without the other.

As in what I wrote about in an earlier column (The Filipino psyche-boon or bane? Sept. 29, 2025), our bureaucracies are full of unqualified and corrupt people, who got their positions due to political patronage. They are out to get the most out of their sinecure, and the people be damned. We have to deal with these people on a regular basis, though we’d rather not. But let’s not play their game.

When we have to deal with bureaucrats, and they impose a lot of unnecessary rules (legal or not), do not succumb to the temptation of giving in to their demands. Question the unnecessary requirements. Often, they just make it out of thin air. Demand to see proof of such regulations. If these regulations do exist and they appear to be oppressive or unnecessary, question them. Do not succumb to the temptation of immediately giving in and paying them to skirt around the “regulations.” This is the easy way out, to give bribes to make our lives easier. But that means you are an accessory to the crime.

Perhaps the best deterrent is to document (with video) your transactions with government officials. If you are asked for “lagay,” refuse to pay. Report the erring bureaucrat, no matter how high or low level he/she is, to the media and expose their modus operandi. This will have a chilling effect on these people, that they will be exposed to the public for their extortion attempts.

We may be losing business opportunities and time due to not giving in to the temptation of bribery, but that’s the price we have to pay for integrity, which has no price tag.

When it comes to paying taxes, we have to deal with the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR). It is understandable why we cringe at the sight of a letter from the BIR, which may be demanding additional payments or penalties. The usual response is to ask to settle the issue by bribing the concerned officer, who actually sent the letter. This is why there is no end to such chicanery.

Now, let’s not tolerate such actions anymore. If we are honest with our declarations, there should be nothing to worry about. But more often than not, taxpayers resort to subterfuge and illegal exemptions, which the BIR personnel will flag. Even if the claimed exemptions are legal, the mere fact of being audited by the BIR sends chills down many a taxpayer’s spine, so they resort to bribery.

I used to file income tax returns with itemized deductions. But I’ve always received notices of audit which led to many disallowances with corresponding penalties. Many years ago, to avoid such unpleasant experiences, I decided to just pay my income tax with straight deductions, which meant 40 percent of my earnings went to the government. After that, I no longer got the dreaded letters from the BIR.

Then, just last year, I received notice from the BIR asking why my income went down. This was after the pandemic when demand for Covid testing dropped to almost nothing, so that part of my earnings suffered. As all my income is from hospital-based practice and declared via withholding tax statements, there was no way I could have not declared my earnings. Even then, I had to send a letter explaining why.

If many, or all income tax payers similarly declared straight deductions and paid their income taxes accordingly, there will be no need for the BIR to send letters demanding an audit. There would not be opportunities for “fixing” tax returns.

This will be an ideal situation, where the government earns more while taxpayers need not worry about tax audits. But then, we need to keep a close eye on where our taxes go. As it is, we’re losing twice, first by paying higher taxes, and second, by not getting enough government services or benefits due to the budget being stolen by conniving legislators and their contractors.

It takes two to tango. If you’re willing to dance to their music, you’re just as guilty. It’s time to end this culture of corruption. Other than taking to the streets to denounce it, let’s do something personal about it.