Skip to main content

Posts

Showing posts from September 12, 2018

Imperative 42: I-Congress Part 1 of 3: 21st vision: internet referendum Congress versus corruption

    During the Philippines' early independence years (1946-50s) 'facilitation fees' going to 'arrangers' of State contracts and purchases came up to 10% of contract amount.  From 1960s to 70s, the rate rose to 20%, and further went up to 40% in 1980s.  By 1990s to early 2000s, 'facilitation' rates had apparently gone up to scam-level 50 to 100%.  Thankfully, only one large-scale 100% scam had been popularly known: P900 million in State shares of natural gas production going to various politicians purportedly for poverty alleviation and disaster mitigation projects.  30% went to the arranger group, 70% to involved politicians, and zero to the supposed post-typhoon reconstruction projects.  The principal arranger had since been jailed but the stolen money has not been fully recovered except for a few mansions identified as her properties.  Some politicians had been confined but scores of other 'project' beneficiaries (Senators and Congressmen) have go