Category: Corruption

Essay about the Effects of Corruption

Corruption is defined as the abuse of entrusted power for private gain. It is one of the biggest global issues, ahead of poverty, unemployment, increasing cost of food and energy, climate change, and terrorism. Corruption is the big enemy of the economy, hampers economic development, weakens democracy, and exacerbates inequality, poverty, social divisions, and the environmental crisis.

Analyzing the effects of corruption, first of all, attention should be paid to the fact that it violates human rights and freedoms. It violates the rights of the public such as getting basic services from public and private offices. This practice compromises equality in society. People working in the public and private sectors are putting their rights and lives in risky situations. Corrupt officials do not offer equal services to the public, which creates a sense of inequality in the public. They offer more interest to their close ones. This behavior leads them to violate the rule of law. This violates the provisions of equality and justice.

Secondly, due to the corrupt system civil disobedience increases. People do not respect the rule of law. They violate the rules and regulations of the public and private sectors, which ultimately leads the social system to a wild where no one respects the law. Due to corruption, not only rule of law is compromised but it also hits the performance of the public and private sectors. They do not perform their functions rightly, which decreases the overall development of society.

Thirdly, corruption impacts mainly poverty and unemployment. The more unskilled people are hired in the sectors, the more corruption increases, which leads to poor performance and the overall capacity of hiring personnel of any sector decreases. As there is less capacity for hiring people, people get unemployed, and due to this more people go below the poverty line. Poverty leads people to do anything to fulfill their needs, which ultimately violates discipline in society. Moreover, it increases illiteracy, which reduces awareness in the public. Due to this, the rich grow richer day by day and the poor grow poorer.

The worst of all effects is moral instability. Due to corrupt behavior, the overall societal moral instability increases. People lose their ethical stability, which leads them to do unethical behaviors. They do not consider unethical happenings as bad activities. This results in low respect for ethical values, and due to this, violation of any law is considered to be normal in such societies. Even people feel proud to break the law and disturb the discipline. This disobedience is considered to be bravery in such a society. This behavior worsens societal values day by day. Lastly, people get lose their characters, and a gap is created in society, which we call now the class system.

Corruption is a serious problem in modern society, given all its negative effects, which must be eliminated.

Essay on Corruption of Power

“The Abuse of Entrusted Power for Private Gain”

Personal Comment: Corruption has existed in our world for many eons. We have at times limited corruption, but it always finds its way back in a more profound way as human greediness always emerges. The impact of corruption has also caused the emergence of oppression as people struggle to promote their opinion as most of a country or city is being controlled by one individual or a group of individuals at the core of a corrupted system.

Main Issue

Research Quote: “The abuse of a trusted position in one of the branches of power (executive, legislative, and judicial) or in political or other organizations to obtain material benefit which is not legally justified for itself or others.” (Sumah 2)

Novel Quote: “See, this country, in its days of greatness, when it was the richest nation on earth, was like a zoo… the day the British left—the cages had been left open, and the animals had attacked and ripped each other apart and jungle law replaced zoo law.” (Adiga 38)

Personal comment: In our world, we are faced with many social issues as shown through the novel The White Tiger. The significant issue that was present in the novel was the struggle against political corruption and oppression. We have seen the effects of corruption on many countries as it affects the country’s branches of power which in turn affects the stability of the nation as a whole. The main character of the novel indicates that power and wealth in the country are unfairly being used against their citizens for their gain.

Causes

Research Quote: “Corruption always arises from an array of several, interrelated factors, which can differ considerably from one another.” (Sumah 9)

Novel Quote: “To sum up—in the old days there were one thousand castes and destinies in India. These days, there are just two castes: Men with Big Bellies, and Men with Small Bellies. And only two destinies: eat—or get eaten up.” (Adiga 38)

Personal comment: Many factors can influence corruption and oppression in our society. The most notable cause of corruption in the novel was the historical influence of English settlers. India was colonized by imperialistic England many centuries ago and only relinquished control approximately 70 years ago. As India was under control for many centuries, they struggled to rule their own country effectively and fairly. This caused the wealthy to gain all the power in the country and left the poor with no support. Geographical location was also a major factor for the corruption of India as they are located in a very hot and dry climate that is faced with many droughts. As a third-world country, the major economic source for many citizens would be agriculture and farming. This allowed the small percentage of wealth to amass a lot of control and power as a lot of citizens were not highly educated due to the fact they had to work on farms. This caused the wealthy to infiltrate the country’s branches of power so they could benefit from their fellow citizens for their own gain. The economic underdevelopment and low employment rates of the country were also major causes of corruption in the country. In India, only a small percentage of people are wealthy and live very comfortably while the vast majority of the population is poor and lives in third-world conditions. Those wealthy people greatly influence the economy of the country as they have the most power in their businesses. This causes the branch of power to be infiltrated by those wealthy people as there is no one more powerful enough to stop them. This leads to corruption as the wealthy benefit from this situation and oppression as there is no one to able to stand up to them and tell them what they’re doing is wrong and unfair.

Effects

Research Quote: “Negative effects of corruption are the same; it reduces foreign direct and domestic investments, increases inequality and poverty, raises the number of freeloaders (renters, free-riders) in the economy, distorts and exploits public investments, and reduces public revenues.” (Sumah 53)

Novel Quote: “We were like two separate cities—inside and outside the dark egg. I knew I was in the right city. But my father, if he were alive, would be sitting on that pavement… So I was in some way out of the car too, even while I was driving it.” (Adiga 80)

Personal comment: The effects of corruption and oppression can be seen throughout the novel as they greatly affect the severity of poverty and classism in Balram’s community. As the novel takes place in India, the main character’s community is always faced with the effects of the country’s corruption. Balram lived in a poor community where everyone was expected to be a farmer or a rickshaw driver. If you are not from an affluent community, you were not expected to become wealthy and prosperous as the country’s system was arranged only to benefit the wealthy and the higher classes and not the poor and lower classes. Major corruption caused a major divide between the wealthy and impoverished societies in India. Corruption is used by people with great power and wealth to benefit themselves and oppress others who rank lower than them in society. The wealthy are the only people who benefit from a corrupt society, while the impoverished tirelessly work to stay afloat. This leads to a divide in society as the wealthy do not associate with the poor and also do not want the impoverished to succeed by keeping them oppressed and under their control.

Solution

Research Quote: “To succeed, we have to be the party of change, we have to root out corruption in our ranks and we have to be the party of solutions.” (Bobby Jindal)

Novel Quote: “There is no end to things in India, Mr. Jiabao, as Mr. Ashok so correctly used to say. You’ll have to keep paying and paying the fuckers. But I complain about the police the way the rich complain; not the way the poor complain.” (Adiga 187)

Personal comment: Corruption and oppression can be very difficult for only one single person to overcome. It seizes control of the government and law control officials who are the people who can break the corruption cycle but do not do so. This is why gaining the attention of the international public would be very essential to restrain the level of corruption in the country. In Venezuela, they have been battling political corruption and oppression for many years, but change has just recently been made since they gathered the attention of the international public. When international news agencies pick up such news, it can quickly spread to powerful people in different countries who can help any country rethink and rebuild the governmental system to ensure everyone is being treated equally and no one is benefiting while others are suffering. Many of these countries do at times minimize corruption but corruption can resurface by having unethical political officials take advantage of such fragile countries. These citizens need to learn to start electing more ethical people in their government who will look out for their rights and their safety instead of selfish officials who only want to achieve personal gain. If these countries were to follow through and elect ethical people into power, oppression would be eliminated as everyone would be able to speak freely and there would be much less corruption as the most powerful in the country are looking for the health of their citizens instead they’re own personal gain.

Work Cited

1. Adiga, Aravind. White Tiger. Atlantic Books, 2018. By. “From Oppression to Corruption to Failure.” RSS, www.diplomaticourier.com/posts/from-oppression-to-corruption-to-failure.
2. e.V., Transparency International. Transparency International – What Is Corruption?, www.transparency.org/what-is-corruption#define.
3. Šumah, Štefan. “Corruption, Causes and Consequences.” IntechOpen, IntechOpen, 21 Feb. 2018, www.intechopen.com/books/trade-and-global-market/corruption-causes-and-consequences.

Essay on Corruption in ‘Hamlet’

Corruption of the ones that are in power is known to have a huge toll on a nation, but many do not talk about its effects on the higher-ups that are in opposition to the corruption. People have debated whether or not corruption has had a significant effect on Hamlet from the Shakespearian play of the same name. The reasons for the significant effects of Hamlet stem from the corruption causing him to be cautious around almost everyone. The reasons against the significant effects come from the difficulty of telling intent from him playing mad and from his character flaws.

The argument for significant effects finds its evidence in Hamlet’s change in how he treats his friends and family and how overly defensive he has been. One of the first changes seen is Hamlet’s lack of trust with his friends. To Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, Hamlet says, “Do you think I am easier to be played on than a pipe? Call me the instrument you will, though you can fret me, you cannot play upon me” (Hamlet 3.2.378-380). This demonstrates the distrust that Hamlet has with the friends whom he knows are working for Claudius. Another change would be the relationship between him and his mother. “Let me be cruel, not unnatural; I will speak daggers to her but use not… How in my words soever she be sent.” (Hamlet 3.3.403-406) says, Hamlet. From this one sees the hatred Hamlet has for her mother who has married his father’s murderous and corrupt uncle days after his father’s death. An interesting effect of corruption is how Hamlet treats Ophelia. In the play, Hamlet says, “Get thee to a nunnery. Why wouldst thou be a breeder of sinners?” (Hamlet 3.1.121-122). His words at the start were harsh, but after Ophelia’s death, one gets a better understanding. “I loved Ophelia. Forty thousand brothers could not with all their quantity of love make up my sum.” (Hamlet 5.1.271-273). This shows that even though he loved Ophelia, he could not let her keep the secret about what he was doing, since her father likes to pander to the king. Additionally, Hamlet has become overly reactive to get revenge on the corrupted king. After hearing Polonius from behind the curtain, Hamlet says, “How now? A rat? Dead for a ducat, dead!” (Hamlet 3.4.24-25) and after killing Polonius says, “Nay, I know not. Is it the King?” (Hamlet 3.4.28). The split-second reaction of killing someone just because there was a chance it was Claudius, shows that the corruption has made him quite overreactive. These were the reasons that argued for corruption’s significant effect on Hamlet.

The argument against the significant effects comes from the difficulties caused by Hamlet acting mad and from the symptoms of Hamlet’s inability to act. Acting mad can cause a lot of issues when trying to determine if Hamlet is being affected by corruption. In the play, Hamlet says, “As I perchance hereafter shall think to meet to put an antic disposition on” (Hamlet 1.5.171-172). For Hamlet to act mad for most of the play makes it hard to determine what actions are caused by his actions and what actions are being done to enact his revenge unless Hamlet is talking alone or with someone he trusts. It also brings up the issue of not being able to tell if a change in his behavior is caused by corruption or by him acting mad for so long that he is now becoming mad. Additionally, his character flaw of not acting on things causes the effects of corruption that could have been prevented. “To take him in the purging of his soul, when he is fit and seasoned for his passage? No… At games a-swearing, or about some act that has no relish or salvation isn’t- then trip him… As hell whereto he goes.” (Hamlet 3.3.85-87,91-93,95) says Hamlet. This shows his procrastination to getting his revenge because he believes that he needs a guaranteed punishment to hell is the only viable punishment. If he were to have killed the king at that point, he could have eliminated the corruption and its effects. Another instance showing his character flaw is when he meets a captain of Price Fortinbras’ army. After learning about all the men who are risking their lives to take over land that has no real value, he decides that he should stop standing around and go enact his revenge on Claudius (Hamlet 4.4.56-66). The time it takes for Hamlet to realize that he is procrastinating is time wasted acting mad and letting the corruption grow, instead of dealing with the issue. These are the reasons that the corruption didn’t have a significant effect on Hamlet.

The proposition uses how Hamlet treats and doesn’t trust the people he knows as reasons that support corruption’s significant effect on Hamlet. On the other hand, the opposition believes that acting mad and Hamlet’s inability to act is evidence of corruption not having a significant effect. Of the two sides, I find that the proposition is the most compelling. For people to have strong connections with your enemy is going to make you trust them less. Although Hamlet’s character flaw helped create the effects, corruption still would have left its mark on Hamlet without it. 

Essay on ‘Macbeth’ Corruption

Themes such as war, guilt, murder, and corruption are common within many texts. These themes are always intertwined with each other throughout texts. two texts that contain these themes are ‘Macbeth’ by William Shakespeare and ‘The War Works Hard’ by Dunya Mikhail. The story of Macbeth is in medieval times, about a nobleman (Macbeth) who wanted the mantle of king, which was owned by his friend (King Duncan). At the beginning of the story, Macbeth and his friend Banquo find two witches who foretell that Macbeth will one day become king of the throne and Scotland. Macbeth returns to the castle and finds himself conflicted and indecisive as he is unsure whether he is to murder his friend for the throne or let the opportunity pass out. This is symbolized in Macbeth’s mind when he envisions a bloodied dagger before him, he is unsure whether to grab it or leave it be. He fights against the conflict and manages to find the audacity to murder King Duncan. Once this happens, the sons of King Duncan flee to England. Macbeth is then insecure as the witches prophesise that Banquo’s descendants will inherit the throne. Macbeth arranges Banquo and Banquo’s son Fleance’s deaths. Unfortunately, Banquo is murdered but Fleance manages to escape the assassins. Macbeth seeks guidance from the witches who still say that Banquo’s descendants will inherit the throne. Macbeth goes on a rampage, murdering many people including Macduff’s family. Macduff then seeks help from Malcolm, one of Duncan’s sons who fled the castle and persuades him to lead an army against Macbeth. Malcom’s army stays stealthy before they attack Macbeth’s castle, Lady Macbeth begins to sleepwalk and then commits suicide. During the battle Macduff challenges Macbeth, and Macbeth realizes that Macduff is the son of a cesarean birth. Macbeth acknowledges he will inevitably fail and summits to Macduff. Macduff takes the severed head of Macbeth to Malcom who is then crowned king. In The War Works Hard, Mikhail uses sarcasm, emotion, and metaphors to describe the effects of war. These texts illustrate corruption within characters in the texts. Both texts portray the results of these themes quite clearly and similarly, although these texts are also different from each other. Guilt is a common theme in both texts, the protagonist in Macbeth feels guilty of murdering King Duncan, correspondingly ‘The War Works Hard’ depicts this theme throughout the poem. War is also prevalent within these texts, in ‘The War Works Hard’ the main theme is war as it describes the results. War is also a key element when it comes to Macbeth, King Duncan rewards Macbeth for his recent success in battles and Macduff persuades Malcolm (a son of King Duncan) to lead an army against Macbeth. Murder is a continuous cycle within the play of Macbeth, an example of this is the murder of King Duncan. In ‘The War Works Hard’ murder is highlighted when the text mentions the killing of people in the war. Corruption is a key theme in both texts, in ‘Macbeth’ the Protagonist Macbeth is corrupted and murders his friends(King Duncan and Banquo). In the ‘The War Works Hard’ the author shows the corruption of war and how it ultimately has devastating effects on the family members of those in the war and the people in the war too.

Firstly, both texts convey the guilt of people who have killed others. In ‘Macbeth’, the protagonist Macbeth feels guilty after murdering his best friend (King Duncan) who had recently rewarded Macbeth by naming him the ‘Thane of Cawdor’. This theme is within the text when Macbeth is consumed by his guilt. Some examples of this are when Macbeth says “the innocent sleep”, “Sleep no more!” and “Glamis hath murdered sleep, and therefore Cawdor Shall sleep no more; Macbeth shall sleep no more”- Act 2, Scene 2. In contrast to this, in ‘The War Works Hard’ the theme of guilt is prevalent when the author says “Achieves equality between killer and killed”. This translates to the person who kills someone else having to live with the guilt of murdering others, whilst the other person faces their death. Whilst both texts convey the theme of guilt, ‘The War Works Hard’ doesn’t physically mention the guilt from war it is intended by some quotes from the poem. It is clear that guilt is a common theme between both texts and is linked to murder whilst both texts use different techniques to illustrate the guilt of characters.

Secondly, war is also a similarity between texts, in ‘Macbeth’, when Macbeth is deemed the thane of Cawdor because of his success in battles, and when Malcom’s army faces Macbeth’s. Within the play, Malcom’s army hides in the bushes and sneak attacks Macbeth’s castle, this was just after the suicide of Lady Macbeth. This is highlighted in the text when, Menteith says “The English power is near, led on by Malcom, His uncle Siward and good Macduff” and Caithness says “ Well, march we on, To give obedience where ‘tis truly owed: Meet we the medicine of the sickly weal, And within him pour we in our country’s purge, Each drop of us”-Act 5, Scene 2. This is parallel to ‘The War Works Hard’ as the whole poem embellishes the idea of war, its effects on people in the war and their families at home. Although both texts are about war, they use different language techniques. The theme of war is mentioned many times throughout the poem. For instance, “How magnificent the war is! How eager and efficient!”, “summons rain from the eyes of the mothers”, “The war continues working, day and night. It inspires tyrants” and between killer and killed, taches lovers to write letters accustoms young women to wait.”- ‘The War Works Hard’. This provides evidence that both texts are about war and how it affects those who are involved or have loved ones in the war.

Thirdly, a common theme of both texts is murder. This appears to be a cycle in the play ‘Macbeth’ when Macbeth kills Duncan, then Banquo, Macduff’s family, and Macduff finally kills Macbeth. All of these deaths were part of the butterfly effect when Macbeth encountered the three witches who then foretold his future. Some examples of this are when Macbeth says “On thy blade and dungeon gouts of blood” and “Nature seems dead, and wicked dreams abuse the curtained sleep. Witchcraft celebrates Pale Hecate’s offerings, and withered murder.” From these quotes, it is evident that Macbeth’s mind is filled with thoughts about murdering King Duncan. However in ‘The War Works Hard’, the poem mentions the deaths of people in the war and the grief of their loved ones at home. Some examples are, “Between killer and killed, teaches lovers to write letters, accustoms young women to waiting” and “Summons rain from the eyes of mothers”. Therefore we can see that both texts revolve around murder and death, however, both texts display this theme in different ways to each other.

Another key theme in both novels is corruption, in Macbeth, we can see the corruption when Macbeth murders his best friend King Duncan for the throne, Macbeth is then overthrown by Macduff and beheaded, resulting in Malcolm becoming the king. Throughout the play, some quotes help prove that ‘Macbeth’ is about corruption. Such as, “On thy blade and dungeon gouts of blood” “Nature seems dead, and wicked dreams abuse the curtained sleep. Witchcraft celebrates Pale Hecate’s offerings, and withered murder” and “call to arms continues to sound. Both re-enter fighting, and Macbeth is slain.”-Act 5, Scene 8. These quotes suggest that the play is based on the corruption of the characters in Macbeth. Corruption in Macbeth is parallel to ‘The War Works Hard’, war is about killing others for power above them. Some quotes from the poem highlight the corruption of war. For instance, it “swings corpses through the air, rolls stretchers to the wounded”, “summons rain from the eyes of mothers”, some are lifeless and glistening, others are pale and throbbing” and “invigorates the coffin makers”- ‘The War Works Hard’. These quotes covey that the war is corrupt, as it causes people’s deaths, pain, and suffering. Therefore we can conclude that both texts are about corruption, although they’re similar, the texts tell different stories. One of a man committing mass murder for the throne, another for the war to overpower people and take over their land.

From analyzing both texts, we can conclude that themes such as guilt, murder, war, and corruption are part of both texts. Macbeth faces guilt after killing his best friend King Duncan, and people in the war face quilt after killing others or helping in the killing of others. War is common in both texts since Macbeth becomes the thane of Cawdor after successful battles and when Macbeth’s army goes to war with Malcom’s army, shortly after the suicide of Lady Macbeth. In ‘The War Works Hard’ the poem suggests that war is a devastating event and causes death and pain to those related to it. Another similar theme within the text is murder, Macbeth murders his friends (Banquo and Duncan). Mikhail uses sarcasm to emphasize the effects of the war and how it affects people. A key theme shared between both texts is corruption. Macbeth is corrupted as he murders his own best friends and he goes on a rampage killing Macduff’s family. Mikhail uses sarcasm and emotive language to portray the results of the corruption of war, Mikhail also shows how society acts towards war. Overall both texts had very similar themes, only portrayed with different techniques and structures. Both texts eloquently displayed the effects of war, corruption, murder, and guilt.                        

Corruption in the Philippines Government Essay

Corruption in the Philippines is no longer a novel issue, akin to the coronavirus pandemic that has affected the United States and the world at large. It is, once again, an endemic, deeply rooted virus that has plagued the country since time immemorial. It is a social hazard and a significant obstacle to good governance that has permeated not only the government but also the private and non-government sectors, as well as Philippine society even before the outbreak of the COVID-19 crisis in the country.

As far as the corruption index is concerned, the country is ranked as the 113th least corrupt nation out of 180 countries according to the 2019 Corruption Perceptions Index by Transparency International. That’s a drop of 14 places from the 2018 ranking.

To note, corruption is a form of dishonesty or criminal offense undertaken by a person or organization entrusted with a position of authority, to acquire illicit gain or abuse power for one’s interests and gains.

Corruption in the Philippines is pervasive on various scales. It can be found at all levels of the state apparatus, ranging from petty bribery to grand corruption that affects the government on a large scale, as well as systemic corruption that has become ingrained in the daily fabric of society, akin to organized crime.

Thus, the alleged corruption in the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) is an exemplification of systemic corruption in the present-day Philippines.

Systemic Corruption

PhilHealth has been plagued by fraud for many years. Some of the alleged corruption in PhilHealth that came to light includes the uncovering of a massive fraudulent scheme involving padded medical claims and payments for non-existent beneficiaries by the Commission on Audit (COA). For example, there were fabricated credits of premium payments to Accenture Inc. in the Treasury and Membership Databases of PhilHealth, totaling PHP 114 million (US$2.34 million), occurring from October to December 2010 and from February to September 2011.

Such deceptive transactions allegedly began in late 2009. In 2012, checks for the said payments were encashed in at least two branches of Metrobank in Batangas instead of being remitted to PhilHealth. This anomalous scheme was made possible due to collusion between PhilHealth personnel and a criminal syndicate.

Moreover, rampant misconduct in PhilHealth includes fraudulent and inflated health benefit claims. For instance, in 2014, six health facilities were investigated for actively recruiting patients for unnecessary cataract removal procedures. Cataract removal ranked fourth among PhilHealth’s top conditions in terms of claims, with total benefits paid out amounting to PHP 3.7 billion (US$76 million).

Likewise, approximately PHP 150 billion (US$3 billion) has been lost to overpayments, up-coding, and other forms of fraud since 2013. Some of these fraudulent transactions and controversies, costing billions of pesos, are currently under investigation by various government agencies and congressional hearings. These include the alleged ghost dialysis scam, overpricing of an ICT project, inflated senior citizen beneficiary lists, and other money-making schemes within PhilHealth.

Whistleblower Attorney Thorsson Keith claimed that PhilHealth officials pocketed around PHP 15 billion (US$308.3 million) through fraudulent schemes, partly through the Interim Reimbursement Mechanism (IRM), a system used by PhilHealth to provide cash advances to hospitals during emergencies like the COVID-19 pandemic.

Combatting Corruption in PhilHealth

In response to the corruption controversies surrounding PhilHealth, significant efforts have been made by various government agencies to address the alleged corruption issues faced by the state-run health insurance agency and to ensure that the perpetrators of these corrupt practices are held accountable.

President Rodrigo Duterte ordered an investigation into allegations of corruption in PhilHealth and initiated the formation of a multi-agency task force to probe the issues plaguing the country’s insurer. This inter-agency task force, led by the Department of Justice (DOJ), includes the Office of the Ombudsman, Civil Service Commission, Office of the Executive Secretary, Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC), Palace Undersecretary Melchor Quitain, and Presidential Management Staff.

The task force has been empowered to conduct lifestyle checks on PhilHealth officials and employees, audit PhilHealth finances, and recommend preventive suspensions, if necessary, to ensure that the investigation is not impeded.

Meanwhile, the PACC, through its ‘Task Force PhilHealth,’ has conducted a separate investigation and so far identified 36 PhilHealth officials allegedly involved in irregularities. Commission chief Greco Belgica stated that charges would be filed against these officials before the Office of the Ombudsman.

Simultaneous congressional hearings at the House of Representatives and the Senate on the alleged corruption cases engulfing PhilHealth are also being conducted in support of the legislation.

Analysis

Over the years, the widespread corruption in PhilHealth has become more apparent, especially against the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic has made the anti-graft, corruption, and good governance efforts of the Duterte administration vulnerable to corruption. The corruption issues besieging PhilHealth have compromised the country’s pandemic responses and undermined public trust in government institutions amid the COVID-19 crisis.

The problem of corruption in PhilHealth victimizes the vulnerable, the sick, and poor Filipinos who are cheated out of medical aid that should have been used to treat their illnesses and possibly save their lives. PhilHealth has thus far failed the people it promised to serve.

The irregularities in PhilHealth must not be allowed to persist. Therefore, heightened political will and robust governance responses from the Duterte administration are needed to curb the corruption problem in PhilHealth.

In addressing corruption in PhilHealth, leaders and lawmakers must recognize certain aspects of PhilHealth as a public institution that need to be reformed, strengthened, and reinforced. For example, the composition of PhilHealth’s board is skewed in favor of the government, with inadequate representation from patients, healthcare providers, civil society groups, and the public. This deficiency needs to be addressed to ensure accountability and transparency in PhilHealth’s operations and decision-making processes.

There is also a need to address systemic corruption, such as that in PhilHealth, which reflects the weak ‘merit culture’ of the country. To curb corruption at its root, the merit culture must be reinforced by recruiting, promoting, and rewarding individuals based solely on qualifications, experience, and performance.

The civil service should not be politicized if corruption is to be curtailed. Additionally, the ‘culture of impunity’ pervasive in PhilHealth, where corrupt acts often go unpunished even when detected and exposed, must be addressed and eradicated.

Moreover, leaders and lawmakers should explore ways to promote societal accountability, where civil society, the media, and the public can monitor and address the actions of public institutions like PhilHealth and its officials. Reforms in this area should include enabling frameworks such as the passage of the Freedom of Information (FOI) Bill, which will empower citizens to expose wrongdoing by increasing their access to information and promoting transparency, accountability, citizen participation, empowerment, and an anti-corruption culture among Filipinos.

Furthermore, in addressing the corruption problem in PhilHealth, government leaders, and lawmakers must recognize that corruption in PhilHealth is a reflection of wider societal issues, where corruption is entrenched at all levels of Philippine society. They must acknowledge that the corruption problem in PhilHealth is cyclical and systemic, requiring a systemic solution rather than piecemeal reforms.

The systemic corruption in PhilHealth persists because corrupt behavior is not isolated but culturally ingrained in society. Cultural and structural ‘blind spots,’ such as nepotism, favoritism, and clientelism, are prevalent in both the public and private spheres and contribute to corrupt practices.

Therefore, there is a need for a profound examination of the socio-cultural factors that drive corrupt practices and how these practices are woven into the fabric of daily life and cultural motivations. Corruption should not be treated solely as an institutional and criminal issue but also as a social, political, and cultural phenomenon driven by human behavior and circumstances.

In conclusion, addressing corruption in PhilHealth requires a comprehensive and multifaceted approach that encompasses institutional reforms, strengthening of the merit culture, promotion of societal accountability, and a deeper understanding of the socio-cultural factors that perpetuate corrupt practices. Only by addressing corruption at its root and fostering a culture of transparency, accountability, and integrity can PhilHealth and other public institutions fulfill their mandate to serve the Filipino people effectively and efficiently.

Police Corruption Essay

Police corruption is a form of police misconduct and involves the abuse and misuse of constitutional authority for personal gain. It involves the breaking of the sworn vows of service as well as the rules and regulations that govern their acts. There are various forms of police corruption and their effects translate to all factions that the law enforcement group represents. According to statistics, it is stated that there are at least ten percent of corrupt police officers in every precinct. There are various forms of police corruption but they are all usually classified under three main categories, namely flouting of the law, soliciting and accepting bribes, and selective enforcement. Examples of different forms of corruption are theft, bribery, fixing, perjury, extortion, frame-up, internal payoffs, etc. These classifications are done through an evaluation of the following aspects, motivation for corruption, level of aggression, consequences, and the regularity of payments among others. Numerous reasons cause this corruption ranging from psychological to sociological but through different government agencies, there are remedies on how to effectively combat it. The following essay is an evaluation of police corruption, its different forms, causes, effects, and possible remedies.

There are three main groupings of police corruption but the most common one is soliciting and the acceptance of bribes, usually monetary. In this category, there are four primary examples, specifically bribery, extortion, shakedowns, and internal payoffs. When in the line of duty, law enforcers, are faced with many challenges, and with this knowledge, the public, as well as the officers, exploits the situation to acquire valuable things such as money, tickets, minerals, and meals, among others. when an individual offers a law enforcer money to influence them into taking or not taking a certain action, it is referred to as bribery. Internal payoffs refer to situations when police officers, offer to sell or buy certain privileges and prerequisites within the law enforcement organizations, for example, holidays and shifts. These two examples are mostly transactional as opposed to extortion and shakedowns where threats and occasional violence are characteristic. Extortion is the use of threats and violence by a police officer to acquire personal gains. Shakedowns, on the other hand, are the frequent threatening of citizens or offenders through possible arrests or vital information for valuables(Sherman, 1974). An example of this form of corruption is when a New York high-ranking police official was arrested in 2016 after receiving free flights, expensive meals, and prostitutes in exchange for certain favors such as a private police force to local wealthy businessmen.

Flouting of the law and police code of conduct is the second category of police corruption, which happens when law enforcers act with sheer disregard for the law and other regulations. This is especially done to secure confessions or convictions but it is sometimes done for mere personal gain. There are various examples in this grouping, that is, theft, burglary, frame-up, perjury, and direct criminal activity. Whistleblowers within the police department such as Frank Serpico testified that corrupt officers could frisk their victims, dead or alive, or the crime scene for valuables and steal them. It also includes the stealing of pieces of evidence from the precinct. In certain situations, police officers could be actively involved in criminal activities through the help of criminals or their partners for example selling of narcotic drugs, or robbery with violence, among others. The frame-up is the addition of false evidence to effect an arrest. Perjury, which is the issue of false testimony under oath, is mostly done by corrupt officers to protect their partners and themselves as well as convict criminals (Caldero, 2014). The perfect manifestation of these two forms of corruption is when Sergeant Wayne Jenkins, a detective with the Baltimore Police Department, robbed Andre Crowder in his house, planted a gun, and arrested him.

Selective enforcement is the partiality that police officers exercise when executing their daily activities. There are many forms of selective enforcement; fixing, corruption of authority, ticket fixing, etc, and they affect all levels of the police department. Internal affairs officials indicate that complicity in high-ranking officials is also a form of discriminatory enforcement. When on duty, police officers are usually awarded free items by the citizens who appreciate their role in society, however, this kind gesture is double-sided as it might be susceptible to exploitation, by both parties, thus becoming a form of bribery. Therefore, the regulatory organization’s ambivalence eventually leads to the discouragement of the acceptance of these gifts by naming them as the corruption of authority (Klockars, Ivkovic, & Haberfeld, 2003). Unethical police officers have been known to skip court hearings and withhold crucial pieces of evidence to sway prosecutions in a particular direction. These snide actions, which are done as favors or bribes, undermine the power of the courts and can have adverse effects. Additionally, ticket fixing, which is ticket withdrawing, is performed as a favor to family members or other officers’ relatives. It can also be used as a form of a bribe if there is an exchange of valuable goods. Louis Eppolito and Stephen Caracappa, who were commonly known as the mob cops are the excellent definitions of various forms of corruption, but especially selective enforcement. Louis Eppolito was the son of a member of the Gambino family, a highly organized criminal group. He was suspected and investigated for sharing crucial information with Rosario Gambino, capo Nino Gaggi, and Paul Castellano, who were high-ranking members of the mafia. However, he was cleared having cited that he was discriminated against due to family background.

The rampart scandal of the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) remains the primary example of police corruption as the internal affairs unit’s investigation revealed that almost the whole department was corrupt. The department’s chief, Daryl Gates, formed an anti-gang taskforce called CRASH (Community Resources Against Street Hoodlums) to fight the rising number of violent crimes that were mainly perpetrated by local gangs. To efficiently gather information the officers selected were to interact closely with the gang members, therefore, they did not wear their uniform or carry a radio. The officers from the LAPD Rampart Division adopted the gang culture; lingo, tattoos, dress, and manners, to reduce suspicion. However, after a while, they succumbed to it and ended up creating their fiefdom. CRASH members started certain police misconduct for example planting and covering up evidence, unprovoked beatings, and shootings, robbery with violence, perjury, theft, selling and distributing narcotic drugs, etc. However, their involvement with criminal activities significantly reduced crime in the region as they would arrest or silence the rival gangs and any opposing force. The task force corrupted its senior officials and supervisors which led to the transfer of good police officers away from the department and the subsequent transfer of corrupt ones. Nevertheless, through the 1999 investigation by the internal affairs police unit, the department was found culpable of many crimes as one CRASH officer, Rafael Perez, provided pieces of evidence in exchange for a reduced time. Through the plea deal, the officer enabled the arrest of over seventy law enforcers through essential information and evidence. The Rampart scandal resulted in over a hundred civil lawsuits which led to a hundred million dollars worth of settlements, the uncovering of corruption in other departments, and the overturning of almost a hundred cases (Ivković, 2018).

Using the Rampart scandal as a case study, there are many lessons, causes, forms, ramifications, and remedies for corruption, that can be learned from the department. Psychologists have indicated that one of the leading causes of police corruption is the psychological state of the perpetrators. In a recent study, researchers identified that the earlier life of the individual, his personality as well as other external factors can significantly contribute to the moral corruption of an officer. People with a rough background, destitute or abusive family, might exploit their positions of power as a way of dealing with their past. After careful analysis of Frank Serpico’s testimony, the Knapp Commission identified that there are two types of corrupt officers; meat eaters and grass eaters. The meat eaters were referred to as aggressive individuals while their counterparts, grass eaters, were the complicit officers who indulged in the spoils. This distinction was further indicated as being heavily related to people’s personalities. There are cases where officers use unethical means for the greater good, for example, to facilitate the conviction and arrest of an elusive criminal. This type of police misconduct is referred to as noble cause corruption. However, there are numerous disadvantages of this method as evident in the Luna v. Massachusetts case, where an illegal search warrant led to the killing of an officer and the consequent dismissal of the cases, as well as the murder (Roebuck & Barker, 1974). Poor management and supervisory duties by the senior police officials also encourage the corruption of their subordinates as witnessed in the CRASH scandal. Lack of proper reviews together with unsupervised officers provide the necessary environment for the corruption of officers. Low wages in the organization prompt financially strained officers to carry out illegal practices to effectively care for their families. Also, close interaction with criminals as well as handling of illegal products can tempt even a law-abiding officer, especially when they need to prove that they are not spies.

Police corruption affects all factions of the community, legal, social, economic, and political. The obstruction of justice by its law enforcers creates a system that undermines the rule of law. Therefore, these unethical officers encourage the community to do injustice, through different forms of corruption as wrong people are falsely arrested while the evil and immoral walk free. These cause an increase in the evils in the society as even the law-abiding citizens start disregarding the law. When the criminals are the people sworn to protect the community, the citizens are left helpless thus creating an environment of fear and terror. The fear, consequently, encourages offenders to exploit the situation leading to the further spread of crime. Since whistleblowers and activists on police misconduct are executed mercilessly people do not know who to trust and they might report any injustice or crime and end up being a target. The unethical actions also damage the organization’s image to the public leading to reduced credibility. Since the police and the judiciary work hand in hand, a tarnished image has adverse effects on the community they represent as the masses lose trust in them.

Various research indicates the numerous ways, society can use to combat police corruption in the nation. However, all require the coordinated effort of all people, policing organizations, the judicial system, as well as internal affairs. Controlling police corruption should start with the thorough screening of its recruits to eliminate any people with signs of psychological complexes such as inferiority syndrome. the police should also encourage routine overall health checkups to identify and treat any psychological issues. Each precinct should encourage a regular review and evaluation of its staff, which will ensure employees are on their best behavior. A supervisory committee can also assist greatly in encouraging honesty and accountability. The federal government should also set rational pay for the police force to reduce the need and temptation for economic corruption(Ivković, 2018). The code of silence that is usually practiced by members of disciplined forces should be discouraged as it creates an environment that can be exploited by cunning and immoral officers. Technological advancement, for example, body-worn cameras, dashboard cameras, and microphones, in police organizations, should also be highly encouraged as they provide crucial pieces of evidence on the actions of an officer during trials.

Police corruption by definition is the misuse of police authority for personal gain. Police corruption, which is a form of police misconduct, has various forms for example theft, bribery, fixing, perjury, extortion, frame-up, and internal payoffs, among others. These many forms are divided into three primary groups; flouting of the law, discriminatory enforcement, and soliciting and acceptance of bribes, using various criteria. Some of the standards used are the motivation for corruption, consequences, the regularity of payments as well as the level of aggression. In soliciting and accepting bribes, there are internal payoffs, bribery, extortion, and shakedowns as forms of corruption. Flouting is the utter disregard for the law and other governing regulations within the police organizations. Its various forms of corruption are perjury, theft and burglary, direct involvement in a crime as well as a frame-up. In selective enforcement, the corrupt officers provide favors to family and friends irrespective of their crimes. It has three forms, which are fixing, corruption of authority, and ticket fixing. Many reasons prompt a law enforcer to break the law and go against their sworn vows for example, the psychological state of the officer, the sociological structure of the society, the individual’s principles on morality, proximity, and close interaction with illegal products, and criminals, poor evaluation techniques as well as lack of supervisory organizations. The effects of corruption ripple across all sections of society, citizens, judiciary, politics as well and economics. It not only tarnishes the image of the power structures but also creates a conducive environment for crime to thrive. The obstruction of justice also disregards the law and creates fear in the citizens. Various tactics can be used to curb police corruption, for example, the set-up of proper supervisory committees, provision of better facilities and equipment, better wages, routine mental health checkups as well as reduced contact with questionable characters and illegal products.

References

1. Roebuck, J. B., & Barker, T. (1974). A Typology of Police Corruption. Social Problems Vol. 21, No. 3, pp. 423-437.
2. Caldero, M. A. (2014). Police ethics: The corruption of noble cause. Routledge.
3. Ivković, S. K. (2018). Police Corruption. Encyclopedia of Criminology and Criminal Justice, 42-53.
4. Klockars, C. B., Ivkovic, S. K., & Haberfeld, M. R. (2003). The contours of police integrity. Sage publications.
5. Sherman, L. W. (1974). Police corruption: A sociological perspective. Garden City, NY: Anchor Press.   

 

Essay on Symbols of Corruption

Beauty in White, Corruption in Gold, The Character of Daisy Buchanan

Prevalent in stories written in the 1920’s, corruption is a common trait found in characters. Stemming from reasons such as fame, wealth, and greed, it adds depth to the story and questions morality itself. The book, The Great Gatsby, also published in the 1920’s, showcases many examples of characters being corrupt because of wealth’s easy access or pursuit. Take Daisy Buchanan, one of the most interesting cases in literature. The deep desire for a luxurious and wealthy lifestyle is the source of the corruption of Daisy’s character.

Daisy indeed cares about her relationship with Nick in the novel The Great Gatsby since she displays considerate behavior towards him. She stated, “I’m p-paralyzed with happiness” (Fitzgerald, 8) upon seeing him after a long time. Moreover, she told Nick, “We heard you were engaged to a girl out West” (Fitzgerlad, 19) although she knew that he was single, referring to Jordan Baker as a love interest. The fact that Daisy is interested in matchmaking Nick with Jordan, a trusted friend of hers, proves her caring attitude. Ultimately, however, Daisy’s behavior towards others depends on how they might benefit her financially or socially. To illustrate, Daisy loathed Gatsby’s parties after only one visit since most of the guests were nameless faces using Gatsby’s wealth to their advantage. “The whole caravansary had fallen in like a card house at the disapproval in her eyes,” Nick described (Fitzgerald, 114), displaying how she disliked strangers tarnishing Gatsby’s reputation behind his back and taking advantage of him. Daisy’s behavior towards her child is also circumstantial as she only desires to boast about her wealth and status through her, further proving her immorality due to her reliance on wealth. For when her daughter said, “I got dressed before luncheon,” Daisy replied, “Your mother wanted to show you off” when guests were present (Fitzgerald, 117). Daisy proceeded to leave her moments later in the care of her nurse leaving for a trip. Thus, Daisy’s treatment of other characters in the novel is based on personal gain, whether financial or societal.

Admittedly, Daisy’s character is presented as innocent and pure, adorned in white clothing persistently throughout the novel. For instance, when Nick first met Daisy and Jordan he described them as the following; ”They were both in white, and their dresses were rippling and fluttering as if they had just been blown back in after a short flight” (Fitzgerald, 8). Not only relating to the poem, The Hollowmen, through the strong presence of wind, this passage describes Daisy as an ethereal angel. On the contrary, as proved by her actions later on in the book, she is not what she seems to be. The irony is evident between her first impression of Nick and her later discovered desires for luxury and reliance on wealth. For example, if Daisy held to her representation, she would have been livid at Tom’s immoral behavior and affair. In reality, though, she was aware of the affair and took no action to prevent it to maintain her wealth and social position. This reveals her desire for a comfortable lifestyle and how she prioritizes money over happiness in her relationship. As Daisy replied, “holding down the receiver,” to Jordan, “that’s Tom’s girl on the telephone” (Fitzgerald, 116). Her answer also reveals another symbolic connection through her name, Daisy. Similarly to Daisy, daisies are adorned with white petals surrounding a gold center that also, according to a Celtic legend, symbolizes innocence and purity. In the novel, Daisy’s angelic representation is the white petals and her desires are the gold center. Hence, there is irony and symbolism foreshadowing her corruption.

The strongest reason by far relating to Daisy’s corruption is her basing crucial decisions on monetary gain or loss in fear of losing wealth. Throughout the book, Daisy faces numerous crucial moments in her life, all of which she handles in the best interest of wealth. The first instance where this is witnessed is when Daisy allows herself to fall in love with Gatsby under the pretense that he is wealthy. As Nick stated about Gatsby, “he let her believe that he was a person from much the same strata as herself” (Fitzgerald, 149). Explaining how Daisy was deceived into thinking that her lover at the time was just as wealthy as she was, allowing herself to be involved with him deeply. However, impatient for his return, Daisy decided to marry Tom.

“In June she married Tom Buchanan of Chicago” Jordan described (Fitzgerald, 75). Her fear of being without wealth overpowered her love for Gatsby and rendered her morally paralyzed, an idea repeatedly enforced by the poem The Hollowmen. Gatsby even strived for wealth, fame, and power all in hopes of impressing Daisy and winning her heart. The most important decision she makes, however, is succumbing to Tom’s power and authority compared to Gatsby’s when their secret affair is revealed. This led her to deny any present feelings she had for Gatsby instead of Tom’s stability in wealth compared to Gatsby’s. Deceivingly, she leads Gatsby to believe that he had a chance, only for her to choose Tom over him, displaying her moral paralysis and her inability to fight for her feelings for Gatsby. “Please, Tom! I can’t stand this anymore” Daisy exclaimed (Fitzgerald, 135). Nick’s observations revealed Daisy’s true colors and irrational fear, causing her moral paralysis.

Hence, the desire for a wealthy lifestyle and money’s easy access are Daisy’s sources of corruption. She bases her behavior towards others on the amount of wealth they possess or the possible benefit to herself. Cleverly inputted irony and symbolism in the novel foreshadow her corruption and how she bases her decision on monetary gain is evident. In the end, she succeeds in maintaining her power and lifestyle, but at the expense of others, leaving trails of sorrow and violence behind her. She transforms something as beautiful as a daisy into a fearful and gold-desiring persona.

Citations

1. Fitzgerald, F. Scott, et al. The Great Gatsby. Scribner, 2018. 

 

Essay on Corruption in Pakistan

Introduction:

Corruption is defined as the misuse of any entrusted power for personal benefit. Unfortunately, corruption is spreading like a disease in Pakistan. The preference of personal interests over national interests in every department of Pakistan has resulted in the decline of the state. Corruption is a root cause of bad governance and crisis situations in Pakistan. In this paper, I will discuss the dimensions of corruption in Pakistan, how corruption has affected Pakistan, and how we can drive out corruption from Pakistan.

Dimensions of corruption in Pakistan:

Corruption in Pakistan has various dimensions, including widespread financial and political corruption, nepotism, and the misuse of power. The level of corruption in society depends on the values and morals of society. Most corruption in Pakistan is found in development projects, bank loans, and procurements, which have crippled the economy of Pakistan. Corruption exists in both the public and private sectors and in governance.

1. Public utilities:

Public utilities, public services, and local community-based groups are involved in corruption in Pakistan. There is an extreme level of corruption in the public sector, including organizations like WAPDA, Sui Gas, and transportation. People are denied their basic needs due to corruption in society, leading to protests in Pakistan.

1. The tax regime:

The taxation system of Pakistan is rife with corruption. Tax evasion is rampant, with less than one million people out of nearly 200 million paying taxes. The undocumented economy in Pakistan’s business sector contributes to the deficit in the budget and hinders economic growth.

1. Public sector banking:

The financial sector in Pakistan is a hub of corruption, with loan recovery efforts undermined by the fear of politically motivated retribution. Corruption in the financial sector affects public finance administration across federal, provincial, and local administrations.

1. Public sector expenditures:

The public expenditure process in Pakistan is marred by corruption, with government contracts not always awarded through open and competitive bidding. Public sector services such as power, utilities, infrastructure, and public works are greatly affected by corruption in Pakistan.

1. Underground economy:

A significant portion of Pakistan’s economy operates in the underground market, which is unregulated and untaxed. While this informal economy provides cheaper services, the lack of taxation means less revenue for the state, contributing to the country’s economic challenges.

Impacts of corruption on Pakistan:

Corruption is a root cause of underdevelopment and a negative image of Pakistan in the world. It leads to severe consequences such as poverty, illiteracy, terrorism, food and electricity shortages, and governance deficits.

1. Economic crisis

Corruption is the root cause of the economic crisis in Pakistan, leading to monopolies, market distortions, and uneven wealth distribution. Tax evasion and hindered foreign direct investment further exacerbate economic challenges.

1. Bad governance:

Corruption in Pakistan reflects a lack of accountability and transparency, resulting in poor governance. The absence of the rule of law and inflation contribute to the prevalence of corruption in society.

1. Breakdown of structures:

Corruption erodes trust in government officials and leads to a breakdown of structures in Pakistan. Bureaucracy fails due to corruption, impacting service delivery and development objectives.

1. Heavy foreign debts:

Corruption contributes to Pakistan’s heavy foreign debts, as mismanagement of funds leads to economic instability. The burden of foreign debts further weakens Pakistan’s economy.

1. Discouraged FDI:

Corruption deters foreign direct investment, worsening Pakistan’s economic condition and hindering its development.

    6. Image of Pakistan (FATF):

Corruption tarnishes Pakistan’s image globally, leading to consequences such as placement on the FATF grey list and difficulty in obtaining financial aid from international organizations.

Steps to drive out corruption in Pakistan:

To combat corruption, Pakistan must implement effective accountability mechanisms, strengthen regulatory systems, promote honest leadership and partnerships, enact administrative reforms, and ensure a consistent judicial system.

Conclusion:

Corruption has plagued Pakistan, leading to economic crises, governance deficits, and a negative global image. Addressing corruption requires a multifaceted approach, including accountability, regulatory reforms, honest leadership, and judicial integrity. Upholding the rule of law and implementing anti-corruption strategies are essential to restore Pakistan’s image and promote institutional development.