Press Release
February 28, 2009

Gordon bewails 'coarsening of political culture'

Independent Senator Richard J. Gordon today bewailed the coarsening of the nation's political culture that has allowed influential groups and individuals to get the lion's share in the government's resources without having to go through the bureaucratic maze.

Gordon, chairman of the Senate blue ribbon committee, said reports of graft and corruption here and there have resulted to the coarsening of the country's political culture that is facilitated by those who choose to be "silent witnesses to evil deeds".

"Our (political) culture has become coarsened by people who think they can get away with anything," he said.

"We must raise the standard of duty and accountability in our country. We dread to see again the unleashing of packs of wolves feasting upon already-scarce resources of government," he added.

Gordon said the public is starting to become impatient of corrupt individuals who use the needy people as convenient cover for their crimes.

What is more unfair, he added, is the fact that when the international media tag the Philippines as one of the most corrupt countries in the world, it stains the reputation of all Filipinos not only those who are indeed corrupt, but even those who are innocent.

"The label shames us all," Gordon said.

"The anger of the people is palpable in the streets and in the fields. A social volcano is smoldering and unless we do something soon, it is bound to explode. We must heed the voice of our people if we are to remain a Republic of the people," he added.

Gordon vowed that the Senate blue ribbon committee under his leadership will not hesitate to exercise political will in investigating and exposing malfeasance, misfeasance and nonfeasance.

The senator had just released the committee report on the P728-million fertilizer fund mess which recommended the immediate filing of charges against those responsible for the scam.

He said the committee will also look at and pursue the truth about serious allegations of many irregularities in government including the World Bank report on collusion in the bidding process, the ZTE broadband scandal, the bribery allegations in drug enforcement agencies, and procurement anomalies in the armed forces.

"We believe that when we succeed in one resolute action to stop graft, we could set off and inspire others to do the same," Gordon said.

"Sooner or later, the time will come when all these efforts will gather together to become an irresistible force that will shatter the wall of graft and corruption in our country," he added.

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