11/22/2014 – Geneva | UN is stepping-up to pressure Philippines to act against corruption. In the latest joint report released by United Nations and Transparency International, Philippines remains one of the most corrupt countries in the world, and the most corrupt democratic country.
Pakistan, Somalia, North Korea, and Iraq are the only countries ahead of Philippines.
“Philippines has a dysfunctional government when it comes to corruption”, the report said.
The report listed the “Pork Barrel Scam” as the biggest single scam scandal in Asia in the last 10 years which involves an estimated amount of $222.7M (P10B). Further details reveal that an estimated 40% of the P2.265T 2014 budget signed by Aquino will likely end up to politicians’ pockets.
The United Nations warns Philippines that it will remove the country from membership if Aquino or the next president could not improve the country’s corruption level in the next five years.
“The UN warning is more serious than China stealing the Spratly Islands. Philippines will be a total useless country if UN decides to cut it ties with the lowly country”, US economist and political analyst Steve Graham told CNN regarding the report.
Transparency International on a separate report said that Philippines should tighten its grip especially on BIR and Bureau of Customs, two of the most corrupt Philippine Government Agencies.
“Being removed from UN membership is like losing a war on terror. This could impact mostly on Filipinos who are working abroad because they are one of the biggest sources of the country’s income. Having a dysfunctional government is like having no country at all”, Peter Garfield, Political Science Professor at Oxford University said.
Malacañang palace already received the report but an email to president’s office remained unanswered.
/Fanny Jalacjac/ Assisted Press Geneva
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