ASoG hosts forum on combatting corruption in government
It is taught by an international and trans-disciplinary team of researchers and reform practitioners with a view to bridging theory, practice, and evidence in a holistic treatment of systems reform and anti-corruption efforts.
Norman Abjorensen PhD of Australia National University, Emil Bolongaita, PhD, of Carnegie Mellon University – Adelaide, Oscar G Bulaong, PhD, of Ateneo Graduate School of Business, and Dean Ronald U. Mendoza, PhD, of ASoG collaborated to introduce this new elective in ASoG.
During their respective presentations, Biazon and Sevilla candidly shared with the ASoG audience not just their technical expertise but also their personal experiences – motivations, challenges, victories, and shortcomings – during their respective leadership stints. Congressman Biazon credits the corruption in the BoC to the system (kalakaran), noting that “at the root of the problem are multi-sectoral vested interests which resist reform, resulting in an entrenched and institutionalized system of corruption.” In particular he lamented the culture of corruption in the agency.
Biazon further added that "The problem is aided by outdated government policies and procedures, lack of resources for modernization particularly for IT, and the sometimes-contradicting mandate of the BoC… revenue generation, security, and trade facilitation.”
Hence, beyond sending reformists to the BoC, the discussion emphasized the need to rethink policies to lessen the risk of corruption.
“Everyone benefits from kalakaran… people in BoC, the brokers, and the importers. And there is little clamor for reforms in the BoC, unlike for example in the LTO. People do not have a direct experience nor a wide appreciation of the corruption.”
In addition, Sevilla, once a part-time faculty member of the ASoG, noted that, "The problem is systemic.”
“May mukha ang problema dahil maraming walanghiyang tao dyan. Pero nangyayari ang kawalanghiyaan dahil the system enables it, the system encourages it at kung hindi mo binago ang sistema, kahit sinong ipalit mo dyan, kahit mga anghel at santo yan, bigyan mo ng ilang minuto, ilang buwan, taon, babalik din sa dating ugali.”
“Let’s recognize and acknowledge that complexity,” added Sevilla.
Nevertheless, Sevilla noted that despite the difficult political economy of BoC reform, there is much that can be done. He noted how IT platforms could help create incentives for binding many bureaucrats and private actors towards more competitive and truthful behavior.
He noted the potentially important role of civil society groups and academia in analyzing the “big data” embedded in BOC operations.
On a poignant note, Sevilla advised reformists working in government that “whoever goes into Customs should have a solid, happy personal and family life.” This, he said, could prevent burn-out and enhance the longevity of BoC commissioners in their post.
The discussion highlighted that most BoC Commissioners last no more than 2 years on the job.
ASoG students participated in the candid and straightforward discussion ranging from technical exchanges on the mandate and workings of the BOC to philosophical reflections about the perils of being a reformist in a thoroughly corrupt environment.
PhD Student and Councilor Rovin Feliciano said on reflection that “corruption is both (an) internal and external problem of an organization whether it is public or private. It is rooted in the socio-cultural and psychological factors that made it an institutional problem.”
This forum builds on ASoG’s ongoing research which focuses on reforms in key government agencies.
