“Newly opened P1.2 billion Isabela bridge collapses” – PhilStar Global
The construction of the Isabela bridge began in November 2014, with an initial completion date set for 2019. However, after undergoing retrofitting, the bridge was officially completed on February 1, at a total cost of P1.25 billion. Despite the significant investment, a section of the newly completed bridge has collapsed, prompting the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to look into possible corruption linked to the project.
The Isabela governor attempted to calm speculations, dismissing claims of corruption as the proverbial elephant in the room.
The Elephant In The Room
The expression the elephant in the room, according to the Oxford Languages dictionary, refers to a “major problem or controversial issue which is obviously present but is avoided as a subject for discussion.” Wikipedia adds that “everyone knows about it but no one mentions or wants to discuss it because it makes some uncomfortable.” In this case, corruption is the elephant in the room.
Corruption Perceptions Index
In 2024, the Philippines scored 33 points out of 100 on the 2024 Corruption Perceptions Index by Transparency International. This index ranks countries and territories based on how corrupt their public sector is perceived to be, with score ranging from 0 (highly corrupt) to 100 (very clean).
Comparing the Corruption Indices among ASEAN countries:
Country Score
Singapore 84
Malaysia 50
Vietnam 40
Indonesia 37
Thailand 34
Philippines 33
Laos 33
Cambodia 21
Myanmar 16
The Philippines finds itself at the bottom of the pack, alongside Laos, Cambodia, and Myanmar.
Corruption Losses
The World Bank estimated in 2002 that the Philippines had lost $48 billion (P2.7 trillion @ $1=P56) to corruption from 1977 to 1997. This equates to an average annual loss of P224 billion, an amount that could have funded the construction of four-lane superhighway networks along the entire Philippine coastline.
Corrupt Culture
Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong exposed last year the extent of corruption in government projects, such as the Isabela bridge, where up to 70% of the total project funds are siphoned off by politicians, agencies, and committees before any meaningful work begins, He shockingly broke down the distribution as follows:
Politicians: 25 to 40%
VAT + Insurance: 7 + 1%
DPWH: 10 to 15%
Bids & Awards Com: 2%
Contingency: 3%
As a result, only about 30% of the original budget is left for the actual project, leading to several adverse consequences:
1. Substandard Construction. Contractors may cut corners to save costs and increase profits, resulting in projects that do not meet the required standards for materials and construction practices. This compromises the structural integrity and durability of the structure, increasing the risk of accidents and failures, as seen with the Isabela bridge.
2. Inflated Costs. Funds intended for high-quality construction are diverted to bribery, kickbacks, and embezzlement, leaving insufficient resources for proper execution. This results in compromised quality and increased vulnerability to failures. Notably, the Isabela bridge was first funded with a budget of P640 million, but an alleged defect in its foundation led to the release of an additional P200 million for retrofitting works.
3. Delayed Projects. Corruption can cause delays due to mismanagement and inefficiencies leading to poorly executed construction that may not meet safety standards and pose risks to users. The construction of the Isabela bridge, for instance, was supposed to be completed in 2019 resulting in a six-year delay based on its original completion schedule
Effective Measures Against Corruption
To prevent corruption in government project implementation, several effective measures can be taken:
1. Transparent Procurement Processes. Implementing transparent and competitive bidding process helps ensure that contracts are awarded based on merit rather than favoritism or bribery. Publicly disclosing all procurement information can enhance accountability. An illustration of the lack of such measures is highlighted in an Inquirer editorial:
“As bombshells go, it wasn’t exactly earth-shaking, but one that gave clarity to lingering questions on the political firestorm that rocked the country two years ago. That fateful order – a presidential directive [by then-President Rodrigo Duterte] as it now appears - was the ‘original sin’ believed to have set the stage for the anomalous deal of plunderous proportions.
“The presidential order allowed little-known company called Pharmally Pharmaceutical Corp., with a paid-up capital of P625,000, to corner pandemic contracts worth billions of pesos as facilitated by PS-DBM. All told, Pharmally would secure, between March 20 and July 2021, deals that totaled P11 billion to supply DOH with personal protective equipment sets, face masks, face shields, COVID-19 test kits, and other medical items.”
Transparency International noted that as the Philippines slumped to a historic low in its corruption index, freedom of expression also declined under then-President Duterte, making it difficult for citizens to speak up against corrupt practices.
2. Whistleblower Protection. Encouraging and protecting whistleblowers who report corruption can help uncover and address corrupt practices. Establishing confidential reporting mechanisms and ensuring that whistleblowers are protected from retaliation is crucial.
3. Public Participation. Involving the public and civil society organizations in monitoring construction projects can enhance transparency and accountability. Public participation can help ensure that projects are executed in the best interest of the taxpayers.
Ill-gotten Wealth
Speaking of the elephant in the room, here’s the big one from Wikipedia:
“Estimates of the ILL-GOTTEN WEALTH OF THE MARCOS FAMILY (underscoring mine) vary, with most sources accepting a figure of about US$5-10 billion for wealth acquired in the last years of the Marcos [Sr.] administration.”
It is worth noting that the “last years of the Marcos [Sr.] administration” fell within the World Bank corruption study period from 1977 to 1997. In other words, the US$5-10billion ill-gotten wealth was part and parcel of the US$48 billion which the Philippines lost to corruption.
One cannot mention the US$48 billion corruption loss without citing the US$5-10 billion ill-gotten wealth of the Marcoses. Otherwise, such a mention will make some uncomfortable – a subject which is personally, socially, and politically embarrassing.
Is it any wonder that the Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission was abolished?
Recently VP Sara stated that Filipinos have the right to be mad at [President Bongbong Marcos] administration for corruption. Although this criticism is too mild compared with her lashing out at the Marcoses - P*t*ng*n* ninyong lahat – in an expletive-filled press conference last year, the Palace raised a question for VP Sara that grabbed headlines: “Why vocal vs corruption now when you kept quiet during your father’s watch?”
Without a doubt, that redounds to the idiomatic expression “the pot calling the kettle black.”
I concluded my July 23, 2022 ATABAY article Corruption: The Elephant In The Room as follows:
“The coupling of ‘corruption’ with the ‘ill-gotten wealth’ tailor-made the duo as ‘the elephant in the room’ which no one wants to talk about today. World Bank’s Wolfensohn said,
“And when they get fed up with [corruption]. something happens. And until they do, not a lot happens.”
Content & editing put together in collaboration with Microsoft Bing Ai-powered Co-pilot
Head photo courtesy of PhilStar
Still photos courtesy of James Fallows, Inquirer, Guinness Book of Records, & John-Cris Gazzingan Cabasag
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