Our problem,
unenforced laws

In 1968, Swedish economist Gunnar Myrdal wrote a book, "The Asian Drama" that became a best seller. Myrdal analyzed the problems of the slow developing countries of Asia. In 1944, he wrote "The American Dilemma," a deep analysis of the race problem of the U.S. The Americans studied the book and listened to Myrdal and his recommendations. In the 60s, there was the segregation problem in Little Rock, Arkansas that made true the problems as pointed out by Myrdal. And they adopted Myrdal's recommendations.

In 1973, five years after he wrote "The Asian Drama," Myrdal won the Nobel Prize for economic science.

Many countries in Asia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and later Malaysia, except Taiwan, the former British colonies, listened to Myrdal and are now progressive.

We did not. And we paid the price.

Myrdal called the Philippines and Indonesia "soft countries." This means countries that enact laws but do not enforce them. People even thumb their noses at the law.

And that has been the reason why we became the most corrupt country in the world.

* * *

Everyday we read in the papers and listen to broadcast stories of corruption, even in the lowest unit of government, the barangays where with the forthcoming election, exposés reveal big money being stolen by corrupt officials.

Why do these things happen? Because they are not charged and therefore, not jailed. The laws have become a mockery.

Congressman Mark Jimenez contributed to the Democrats' campaign kitty in the U.S. Jimenez' contribution was fraudulent. He was charged, sentenced, and jailed.

Nora Aunor was caught in possession of drugs. She was charged, and jailed. She violated the law. She had to answer for it. Sad to say, we don't have it here. Soft state really.

In other countries, you fool around with the law, you go to jail. They believe in the principle, "Dura lex sed lex" or the law may be harsh but it is the law and another Roman dictum, "Justicia fia

t ad coelum" or let justice be done though the heavens fall.

* * *

In the 1970 Constitutional Convention, Leyte delegate Eduardo Quintero was given money to vote for what Marcos wanted. Quintero accepted the money and denounced the bribery. It was the biggest issue of the time. But did somebody go to jail?

No! Quintero died a little later, forgotten even with his heroic deeds. But, then it was already Martial Law. There were very many bribery cases since then until lately. But, again none went to jail. People didn't bother to go to court. The perception has been that going to court would be a useless exercise. The perception again is that justice can be bought.

Comelec Chairman Benjamin Abalos was reported to have offered bribes to both Jose de Venecia III and to former NEDA Director Romulo Neri, which both refused to receive and which Abalos denied he did.

The public anger was so strong that Abalos was forced to resign his position. Had he not resigned would he go to jail?

* * *

Former Agriculture Undersecretary Jocelyn "Jocjoc" Bolante has not answered yet the questions on the P720 million fertilizer scam. Can he go to prison? Soft state?

There were exposés in the textbook anomalies and millions misspent by the education department. Will they be charged and eventually sent to jail? Those who will prosecute have their own problems to answer. Congress and other offices in government have become a big fraternity where members just tolerate the foolishness in order that they may not be touched too.

This is the culture. So much foolishness that must be stopped. But the problem is we just talk and talk without lifting our finger.

I heard Candoni Mayor Cicero "Celot" Borromeo pouring out his frustrations of the many projects in Candoni that were not seen, meaning the money went to the pocket of some people. I dare Celot, file the cases. Gov. Marañon and Vice Gov. Zayco will be happy to help.

* * *

I think this culture started with Marcos who advocated for a "compassionate society" which was one way of saying, forgive some law violators because they are poor. The problem is the violators now are big people and the scams run to hundreds of millions.

Let us implement the laws and ordinances. Pedicabs proliferating in the city streets? Yes, because they pay no attention to the ordinances of the council. Sidewalk vendors? Nobody wants to implement the law on anti sidewalk vending.

Drivers not following traffic rules? Yes. Because the most that one gets is the sharp look of the traffic enforcers.

Soft state? That is what will make this country sink deeper.

* * *

Many planters are happy with the leadership of NFSP's President Nene Rojas and the spokesman of Sugar Alliance UNIFED's Manolet Lamata in fighting for the planters. The fellow behind all this fight is Nene Rojas.*

back to top