The left-leaning Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) chided Malacanang for saying that the country’s 11th  corruption ranking on the Transparency International survey as “exagerrated”. According to Danilo “Ka Daning” Ramos, secretary general of the group, “the ranking should have been higher because in every aspect of the government bureacracy there is corruption. From the Office of the President down to the baranggay captains, corruption is very rampant in our country,”

“The ranking of the Philipines can even reach the top 3, if  Transparecy International (TI) have really delved into the intricate web of corruption in the bureaucracy. The Macapagal-Arroyo adminisration can even be compared to a mafia-like syndicate, with different officials and generals having their own terriories and rackets, examples of which are the First Gentleman himself with the protection of the president, Major General Carlos Garcia, Ex-Agri. Usec. Jocelyn Bolante, Ex-agri. Sec. Luisito Lorenzo and the list goes on,” added the peasant leader.

The TI Corruption Perception Index report, released the other day, showed the Philippines holding on to its 11th ranking- which it has held along with five other countries for the past two years-as the most corrupt nation in a field of 146.

Meanwhile Carl Anthony Ala, public information of KMP, said that while the government is involved in all types of corruption activities, its citizens have nothing to eat and the economy is plummeting. “Majority of farmers still do own the land they till, and the price of their produce are so low that the price of hogwash is even more expensive,”

“While billions of pesos go to the pockets of unscrupolous officials, the broad masses does not even have the money for the next meal. This is indeed very tragic, and we cannot rely on the government to do anything about it. The people must act on this themselves,” ended Ala. # # #
 

KMP - 22 October 2004