One of the greatest failures of both the Aquino and Arroyo administrations has been the failure to reign in corruption, especially involving their own supporters and family members. The U.S. had left less than a dozen politically and economically powerful families controlling the Philippines when its decades-long imperial occupation of the archipelago ended in 1945.
Only President Ramos, Aquinos successor, made as much as a half-hearted attempt to reform the broken system of cronyism among this oligarchy that control the 7000-plus isles of the Philippines.Â
An example of the depths of dismay among the Filipino population at the lack of progress against corruption in the country comes from my discussion with a taxi driver yesterday. I had asked the man, "What cars are produced in the Philippines?
The taxi-driver stated, "None.
Then I enquired, "What companies are producing buses or trucks?
The reply was, "Only Jeepneys are produced here.
Jeepneys used to be the undisputed kings of the road in the Philippinesbut they are based on a WWII Willey Jeep technology. However, Japanese and foreign built cars and trucks and buses dominate the road now in 2009.
I asked, "Why does a country of 80,000,000 people not produce its own vehicles?
The driver stated, "Corruption is the reason. No one wants to invest here where so few skim off all of the profits.
My wife, also of the Philippines, nodded in agreement.
When will the Philippines get justice and less corruption?Â
Come on PEOPLE POWER!!! Return again and finish the job.
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