Gibo to adopt ‘carrot-stick’ policy vs corruption

from People's Tonight

http://www.journal.com.ph/index.php/national/3759-gibo-to-adopt-carrot-stick-policy-vs-corruption.html   

LAKAS-Kampi-CMD standard-bearer and former Defense Secretary Gilbert “Gibo” Teodoro Jr. said yesterday an effective anti-corruption strategy should adopt a “carrot-and-stick” policy that should also focus on providing incentives to honest, outstanding state employees, and not just punishment against erring public servants.

Gibo said that besides a “carrot-and-stick” policy, a Teodoro administration will fight corruption by ensuring transparency in government contracts, especially for big-ticket infrastructure items, through private sector watchdogs who will monitor the bidding and implementation of these projects.

In the Philippines, the strategy to fight corruption is punitive. Although the more effective approach is prevention by reducing temptations that will entice public officials to commit graft, Gibo said.

“Posibleng gawin yon sa phased in na salary increases at phased in naman na mga incentives, (It is possible to do that [preventive strategy] through phased-in salary increases and phased-in incentives,” Gibo said in a radio interview. “Dapat ipatas mo ang carrot and stick... para may incentives na gumawa ng tama. Ang pinakamagandang incentive din matatakot ang public official na mawalan ng trabaho dahil maganda ang kanyang trabaho.”

He noted, for instance, that under the current setup, a public servant who is able to save the government P1 billion is never rewarded for his or her efforts, but an employee who is caught stealing P10 worth of staple wires is already liable for graft.

In his stint at the Department of National Defense, Gibo said he has already instituted measures to reduce corruption by entering into an agreement with private-sector watchdogs from the Bishops-Businessmen’s Conference of the Philippines and the Makati Business Club, both staunch anti-government critics.

This group, represented by Paterno Menzon and Magdaleno Albarracin of the MBC, helped scrutinize DND contracts to ensure that these are all legal and aboveboard, Gibo said.

“Anytime that they saw something doubtful, even if it is not illegal, at the Bids and Awards Committee of the Department, they immediately approached me and I immediately acted upon their recommendations,” Gibo said.

Gibo said that as a result of this partnership, he was able to nip in the bud several questionable DND contracts, which include among others, the bidding for helicopters and the negotiated procurement of ammunition on his watch.

As for whistleblowers, Gibo said he would encourage them under his administration, but they should have solid evidence, instead of mere allegations, to back up their charges, to ensure convictions in court.