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Friday, March 29, 2024

Upsilon Sigma Phi, GoodGovPH launch PH youth network against corruption

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On December 10, 2022, the Upsilon Sigma Phi and GoodGovPH launched the Youth Network for Integrity and Anti-Corruption during its International Anti-Corruption Day Conference with the theme, “Walang Kukurap: Kabataan Para sa Tapat na Pamamahala”. The event commemorated the 20th anniversary of the UN Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC) ratification. It was held at the International Center for Public Administration, University of the Philippines Diliman. 

UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Youthled Integrity Advisory Board member and GoodGovPH Founder Dexter Yang opened the event. “The fight against corruption starts every day. Ang paglaban sa korapsyon ay nagsisimula sa’yo, nagsisimula ngayon, nagsisimula araw-araw,” said Yang to emphasize the youth’s role in promoting integrity and fighting corruption. 

UNODC Youth Advisory Board Member and GoodGovPH Founder Dexter Yang called on the youth to take an active role in fighting corruption every day.

UNODC: Corruption is a global problem

UNODC National Programme Officer Atty. Kirbee Tibayan led the event’s first keynote speech. “Corruption is a global problem. United Nations data show that USD 2.6 trillion is annually diverted away from schools, healthcare, and infrastructure,” said Tibayan. 

Citing the UN Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC), Tibayan also emphasized the need for youth-led civil society networks to monitor and help implement the multilateral treaty.

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Former COA commissioner: Be ‘Marites’ to play a role in anti-corruption

Former Commission on Audit (COA) Commissioner and UN Office of Internal Oversight Undersecretary Heidi Mendoza, encouraged participants to become ‘marites’ or an online term for a gossiper.

“If you want to play a role in anti-corruption, kailangan Marites kayo, sa totoo lang. Kasi you have to be more advanced than the corrupt. Kailangan advance kayo mag-isip kasi para alam niyo kung anong gagawin nila. Hindi kayo advance para maunahan sila na nakawin ang nanakawin nila,” said Mendoza. 

She emphasized that the battle against corruption is not only in the national government, but also in the local government units since programs and projects are directed towards the people and constituents.

Mendoza captured public attention when she exposed former General Carlos Garcia, who was accused of misappropriating PHP 303.27 million while he was still in service. 

Fighting corruption in LGUs

Mayor Vince Soriano of Pakil, Laguna underlined the importance of the Freedom of Information Act. Being a pioneer of his province, Soriano said that the ordinance has encouraged people to trust the government with regard to its procurement and programs that involve public funds.

“Bawasan mo ang face-to-face interaction then significantly, you are reducing the incidents of corruption kasi nabawasan ang opportunity ang tao na maging corrupt at i-corrupt ang nasa government. Kasi ang corruption hindi lang naman yan physical na nawala yung pera, kung hindi yung resources nasasayang because of inefficiencies and under the table negotiation,” said Mayor Soriano. 

Three-term Pakil, Laguna Mayor Vince Soriano and three-term Mangaldan, Pangasinan Councilor Aldrin Soriano shared experiences in fighting corruption in their respective LGUs.

Informing the public is as important as engaging them in relation to funds appropriated by their respective barangay or communities. Municipal Councilor Aldrin Soriano of Mangaldan, Pangasinan said that there is a need to utilize available digital platforms such as Facebook where people are able to acquire information by simply using free data on their phones. 

Puntahan mo kung nasaan ang tao kagaya ng sa Facebook, ipaintindi mo ang nilalaman ng ipinapasang budget ng kanilang barangay, ng inyong munisipyo at ipaintindi mo sa kanila saan napupunta ang pondo ng bayan. Bakit Facebook? Dahil kahit saan man sila, kung mayroong free data ang cellphone o free wifi, makikita na nila agad ang impormasyon na ito,” said Councilor Soriano. 

Youth’s role in fighting corruption

Aside from the control mechanisms in the government, the youth and various non-government organizations can also actively engage in anti-corruption initiatives. City Councilor Tobit Cruz of Taytay, Rizal and Municipal Councilor Joal Cea Cocjin of San Andres, Catanduanes urged the participants to serve in the government in order to enact much needed reforms. 

We are here to encourage people to come together. Kung kailan sukang-suka ka na, pagod na pagod ka na, para kanino ba to? Itutuloy ko pa ba. Doon kailangan ang support system na magsasabi sayo na may ipinaglalaban pa tayo,” said Department of Education Assistant Secretary for Youth Affairs and Special Concerns Dr. Dexter Galban.

DepEd Assistant Secretary Dexter Galban, San Andres, Catanduanes Councilor Joal Cocjin, GoodGovPH Executive Director Ranze Calderon, and Taytay, Rizal Councilor Tobit Cruz encouraged young leaders to take up space in government by running in their communities

GoodGovPH Executive Director Ranze Calderon has called on the youth to make the conversation on integrity and anti-corruption a norm amongst themselves and to take a stand against corruption in the country by actively joining organizations and networks that focus on such initiatives.

To cap the event, participants participated in a workshop and presented their agenda for integrity and anti-corruption. The symposium also launched “Mabuting Pamamahala Araw-Araw” Campaign and “Youth Network for Integrity and Anti-Corruption”. 

The said network aims to raise awareness on youth’s role in fighting corruption; to lobby for permanent youth representation in national anticorruption and UNCAC monitoring bodies; and to make corruption a key election issue in the 2023 Barangay and SK Elections. 

The Upsilon Sigma Phi is the oldest Greek-letter fraternity in Asia and the oldest student organization in the University of the Philippines. Founded in 1918, the fraternity has continuously served as a cradle for nation-builders, changemakers, and industry leaders. Its alumni include former Senators Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan, House Speaker Martin Romualdez, and Secretary of Justice Boying Remulla, among others. 

GoodGovPH is a youth-led movement for good governance in the Philippines. It conducts initiatives anchored on civic engagement, education and training, and policy advocacy. It was recognized as one of the Ten Accomplished Youth Organizations (TAYO Awards) in 2020. 

Follow the official Upsilon Sigma Phi socials for more updates and information, @upsilonsigmaphi on Twitter and /upsilonsigmaphi on Facebook.

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