Transparency International — TI
An Open Letter to Transparency International
When Judge Dolores Español undertook to organize the Philippine Chapter of TI, in the time of ex-Pres. Ramos, there was nothing political about the organization. It was supposed to be what it advertised it would be: a graft and corrupton buster group.
Ani Disierto was represented by Abe Aportadera, Deputy of the Ombudsman. Sofronio Ursal was to stand in for COA. Manang Mayette Goco for OP. And so on. The IBP was represented. Later however, there came a change in the IBP leadership and Atty. Verzola became the new president. She represented IBP together with others in the TI Philippines core group and became part in the forming of the formal TI Philippine Chapter.
I signed the charter for the first TI Philippine Chapter, notwithstanding that I was part of the original core group of slightly over five people.
Since then, it has become a surprise for me, that with Manang Mayette Goco and Atty. Verzola rooting for the rival of Pres. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo in the last presidential elections in 2004, the Philippine Chapter of TI has immensely been very political — at least in my own perception. Its media releases have been adversarial, to say the least and has been made capital of the most scathing criticisms of the incumbent, duly constituted government.
I feel that TI Philippines is losing track unless it goes back to its original mandate, to fight graft and corruption and as much as possible transcend politics.
At its best, TI Philippines can operate outside of the milieu of destabilization. And be successful in that effort. For instance, while the mother organization of the TI is Germany, how can it bear not to criticize German firms that are operating out of bounds in the Philippines or at least counterparted by companies that are not following the law in this country?
So much can be done by TI Philippines. It just has to unbridle itself with the politicking that already too many in Philippine Society are obsessed with and make public service their excuse for doing so.
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