Albert E. Alejo, SJ, PhD Mindanawon Initiatives for Cultural Dialogue

Leadership as Stewardship Leadership as Stewardship The Challenge of Corruption and the Promotion of The Challenge of Corruption and the Promotion of

Integrity in Catholic Schools in Mindanao Integrity in Catholic Schools in Mindanao

Albert E. Alejo, SJ, PhDAlbert E. Alejo, SJ, PhDMindanawon Initiatives for Cultural DialogueMindanawon Initiatives for Cultural Dialogue

Ateneo de Davao University, PhilippinesAteneo de Davao University, Philippines

Let’s Clarify our Social Let’s Clarify our Social MissionMission

1.1. Human FormationHuman Formation: training of the : training of the young who will someday become young who will someday become social agents in the future?social agents in the future?

1.1. Social Transformation:Social Transformation: direct direct institutional involvement in institutional involvement in changing present social structure? changing present social structure?

Human formationHuman formation

““The ultimate aim of our Catholic education The ultimate aim of our Catholic education is…that full growth of the persons which is…that full growth of the persons which leads to action --- action, especially, that is leads to action --- action, especially, that is suffused with the spirit and presence of Jesus suffused with the spirit and presence of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Man-for-Others. Christ, the Son of God, the Man-for-Others. This goal of action, based on sound This goal of action, based on sound understanding and enlivened by understanding and enlivened by contemplation, urges students to self-contemplation, urges students to self-discipline and initiative, to integrity and discipline and initiative, to integrity and accuracy. At the same time, it judges slip-accuracy. At the same time, it judges slip-shod or superficial ways of thinking unworthy shod or superficial ways of thinking unworthy of the individual and, more important, of the individual and, more important, dangerous to the world he or she is called to dangerous to the world he or she is called to serve.” (Adopted from Kolvenbach 1989) serve.” (Adopted from Kolvenbach 1989)

Direct Action of the School Direct Action of the School for Social transformation…for Social transformation…

This goes beyond the hope that someday our This goes beyond the hope that someday our graduates will change society. The school, graduates will change society. The school, through its instruction, research, formation through its instruction, research, formation and extension programs, directly acts in and extension programs, directly acts in making society a more “just, humane and making society a more “just, humane and abundant”. abundant”.

A Catholic school is not an NGO, but it is called A Catholic school is not an NGO, but it is called to live out its corporate social responsibility. to live out its corporate social responsibility. The peace and order, poverty and prosperity The peace and order, poverty and prosperity of society affect the life of the University. of society affect the life of the University.

It is not only the students who should become It is not only the students who should become men and women for others. The University men and women for others. The University itself should be a model agent of social itself should be a model agent of social transformation. transformation.

But there are tensionsBut there are tensions

Some of the problems that schools Some of the problems that schools want to change in society are also want to change in society are also found in the educational institutions found in the educational institutions themselves!themselves!

Some of the issues that the Catholic Some of the issues that the Catholic Church is fighting against in Philippine Church is fighting against in Philippine society are also found within our society are also found within our sacred temples! sacred temples!

Corruption is an age-old

problem…Ehem!.

..Ehem!.

..

Corruption is the

abuse of public trust

for private gain.

PHILIPPINE CONTEXTPHILIPPINE CONTEXT

Ranked 11th most corrupt countries Ranked 11th most corrupt countries according to Transparency Internationalaccording to Transparency International

Most predominantly Christian and Catholic Most predominantly Christian and Catholic country in Asiacountry in Asia

Burden of Spanish, American and Japanese Burden of Spanish, American and Japanese colonialismcolonialism

Two decades of Marcos dictatorship, etcTwo decades of Marcos dictatorship, etc Some problems in Philippine society, (e.g. Some problems in Philippine society, (e.g.

“unintegrity” and lack of accountability) “unintegrity” and lack of accountability) are also found in the Philippine schoolsare also found in the Philippine schools

Present ChallengePresent Challenge Many problems in Philippine society can also Many problems in Philippine society can also

be found within our educational institutions. be found within our educational institutions. One of them is the practice and tolerance of One of them is the practice and tolerance of corruption.corruption.

The renewal of society involves a sincere The renewal of society involves a sincere discernment and a strong decision to work discernment and a strong decision to work against corruption in all its forms, starting against corruption in all its forms, starting from family and schools.from family and schools.

Three challenge areas: 1. Supporting those Three challenge areas: 1. Supporting those who fight corruption; 2. Assisting those who who fight corruption; 2. Assisting those who feel the need to change their corrupt behavior; feel the need to change their corrupt behavior; 3. Promoting a culture of integrity among 3. Promoting a culture of integrity among students, faculty, parents and alumni. students, faculty, parents and alumni.

The Challenge of Corruption in Philippine Education

Slide 1

Corruption in the Philippines


Common estimates ranging from 1% to 20 % of the country’s Gross National Product, and 20%-30% of our national budget are lost to corruption each year.

From 1995-2000, the average annual loss due to corruption is 3.8% of the GNP, amounting to 74 billion pesos to a ballooning 130 billion in 2000.

The total losses amounted to 609 billion609 billion pesos for the six-year period.


The Philippine Government was losing $2 billion a year or a whopping $48 billion in the last twenty years due to corruption, exceeding its entire foreign debt of $40.6 billion.


In the year 2001 a whopping 21 billion pesos of the government’s procurement budget of 104 billion pesos went to the pockets of legislators, officials and contractors as kickbacks.

Nearly half of the DPWH’s budgetNearly half of the DILG’s budgetBigger than DOTC’s budgetBigger than DOH’s budgetBigger than DOJ’s budgetBigger than DENR’s budgetBigger than DSWD’s budget

About fourth of the DepEd’s budget

21 billion pesos is:

Corruption and Education


21 billion21 billion pesos a year could translate into:

44,716New classrooms

BacklogBacklog

Solved!Solved!



21 MillionNew books

1:1 pupil 1:1 pupil

textbook textbook

ratioratio



4 Million

New desks

BacklogBacklog

Solved!Solved!



44,220New

Computers

Computer Lab

Computer Lab

for allfor all

High schools

High schools

State of Corruption in the Philippines (and Philippine Education)

Inquirer (15 April 2005): Fake diplomas and academic credentials now being manufactured, especially diplomas of Ateneo de Manila and Mapua Institute of Technology; the practice is very rampant in South Korea and very popular among South Korean Students.

Inquirer (24 June 2005): Fake appointment papers as State University, bearing the signature of Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyodiscovered by the NBI. Arrested was Abdul Rakim Mutin for misrepresentation and using the faked appointment as presidentof the Mindanao State University.

Inquirer (24 December 2005): The Presidential Antigraft Commission (PAGC) found and dismissed a high government official of the National Commission on Indigenous People (NCIP) for faking his school records, including master’s and doctoral degrees.

Slide 4


Cross-Sectoral Study of Corruption in the Philippines (2002)

Some malpractices in the schools and universities: rampant cheating in exams and take-home assignments; plagiarism in theses, dissertations and research publications; teachers selling school supplies, food stuffs, insurance, and underwear garments in school or inside the classroom, where students are compelled to buy in exchange for favorable grades; selling of tickets and collection of fees, both of which are now prohibited by the DepEd; illegal use of PTCA funds (Parents-Teachers-Community Associations); illegal use of class funds; teachers and school administrators getting ‘commissions’ from suppliers of school supplies or printing press of yearbooks and school papers; non-remittance of teachers’ benefits premiums (SSS); illegal deductions from teachers’ salaries.

Slide 5


TI-Global Corruption Barometer Survey (2005):

There is an increasing incidence of corruption in many schools and universities worldwide, including bribes to secure a student’s admission to school or to pass university exams, or selling diplomas and other academic credentials.

The report importantly noted that such anomalous “practices in schools and universities contradicted basic values of integrity, equity and the public good, and risked perpetuating the problem by fostering a negative perception of authority and institutions.”

Slide 6

Facing Up to Corruption in the Campus

There is now a recognition of the growing awkwardness that pricks into the concepts of ascendancy and role-models:

What happens if corrupt students become professionals i.e. what if cheaters become teachers?

What if a bully becomes a policeman?

What if a student who keeps on cutting classes becomes a congressman?

What if a student who cheats on his stipends becomes a tax collector?

The awkwardness is brought about by the many contradictions and alarming implications that are easily the result of the problems of

corruption beginning in the school campus.

Slide 10

Church as part of Church as part of problemproblem

‘‘There's a whole history to show that the There's a whole history to show that the Church, though part of the solution, is also Church, though part of the solution, is also part of the problem -- probably more the part of the problem -- probably more the second than the first. It's a Church, quite second than the first. It's a Church, quite incidentally, that is itself cleaved into rich and incidentally, that is itself cleaved into rich and poor, in part involuntarily -- some parishes are poor, in part involuntarily -- some parishes are poorer than others…As with the society itself, poorer than others…As with the society itself, the pocket of wealth and opulence at the top the pocket of wealth and opulence at the top is matched by breathtaking deprivation below, is matched by breathtaking deprivation below, a spectacular divide that doesn't suggest it a spectacular divide that doesn't suggest it holds on to values conducive to honesty, or holds on to values conducive to honesty, or indeed Christianity.’indeed Christianity.’

——Conrado de QuirosConrado de Quiros

CBCP statement (2003)CBCP statement (2003)

‘‘Today we point an accusing finger at Today we point an accusing finger at ourselves…We are aware, too, that in ourselves…We are aware, too, that in other areas of Church life as in parish other areas of Church life as in parish financial management, some Church financial management, some Church members and leaders, through loose members and leaders, through loose and dishonest stewardship, stray and dishonest stewardship, stray from the path of righteousness and from the path of righteousness and integrity… CBCP “Let Integrity Flow integrity… CBCP “Let Integrity Flow Like a Stream”’ (2003)Like a Stream”’ (2003)

Catholic SchoolsCatholic Schools

‘‘Many graduates of Catholic schools Many graduates of Catholic schools have been successful economically have been successful economically and politically but they have also and politically but they have also contributed to the dismal economic contributed to the dismal economic and political imbalances existing in and political imbalances existing in our country’ (Plenary Council of the our country’ (Plenary Council of the Philippines II, no. 267)Philippines II, no. 267)

CBCP Call for ActionCBCP Call for Action Awareness is not enough…We challenge Awareness is not enough…We challenge

new groups to organize themselves and new groups to organize themselves and address this problem in their respective address this problem in their respective sectors... We urge all our Catholic sectors... We urge all our Catholic institutions, schools, parishes, religious institutions, schools, parishes, religious organizations and movements, and the organizations and movements, and the Basic Ecclesial Communities to emphasize Basic Ecclesial Communities to emphasize value formation, especially in the family, value formation, especially in the family, and to throw themselves vigorously into the and to throw themselves vigorously into the campaign. We encourage them to use the campaign. We encourage them to use the ““Ehem!Ehem! A Manual for Deepening A Manual for Deepening involvement in Combating Corruption.” involvement in Combating Corruption.”

Implications for Educational Implications for Educational and Family Ministryand Family Ministry

We must realign our values formation with We must realign our values formation with good citizenship and good governance. good citizenship and good governance. Charity begins at home, but it should not Charity begins at home, but it should not end there! Our homes shall be a school for end there! Our homes shall be a school for the kind of love that goes beyond kinship the kind of love that goes beyond kinship and family ties, but reaches out to social and family ties, but reaches out to social and environmental concerns. They shall be and environmental concerns. They shall be a training ground for hard and honest a training ground for hard and honest work, for simple lifestyle, for harmony with work, for simple lifestyle, for harmony with nature, for a profound reverence for the nature, for a profound reverence for the value of words and a deep disdain for value of words and a deep disdain for deception and untruth. deception and untruth.

The Overdue Challenge:

Localization of Corruption

What can the schools and universities DO?

Help combat corruption in the country by facing up to the corruption in the campuses!

HOW?Localize corruption, localize the initiatives!

Slide 13

The Overdue Challenge:

Localization of Corruption

The different facets and manifestations of corruption in the campus:

CheatingCheating PlagiarismPlagiarism Cutting classesCutting classes BullyingBullying LoiteringLoitering

loafing loafing bummingbumming tambaytambay

Bribery Bribery StealingStealing VandalismVandalism Habitual Habitual tardiness and tardiness and absencesabsences Faked diplomasFaked diplomas

Campus election fraudsCampus election frauds Deceptive campus election campaignsDeceptive campus election campaigns School funds mismanagementSchool funds mismanagement

annual yearbookannual yearbook school paperschool paper club fundsclub funds

Campus sports anomaliesCampus sports anomalies Rampant solicitationRampant solicitation

• annual yearbookannual yearbook• club t-shirtsclub t-shirts• Christmas partiesChristmas parties• construction of fencesconstruction of fences• field tripsfield trips

Other malpractices and malfeasanceOther malpractices and malfeasance

Slide 17

What can be done?

Integration of Formation ProgramsEarly Awareness ProgramAcademic Curriculum IntegrationAnticorruption Awareness CelebrationsIntegrity Camps/Youth CampsWatchdog Participation Issue advocacy and Public Relations (PR)PTCA and Alumni ChampionsExternal Technical ResourceConstituency-Building for Convergence

Implement initiatives against corruption in the campus.

Slide 21

What can be done?

Instill citizenship values in the campus; values that serve as building blocks of good governance

• Integrity• Honesty• Credibility• Transparency• Equity• Justice• Common Good• Role Models• Ascendancy• Simplicity

Slide 20

Integrity Integrity

““In all areas of national endeavour, there is In all areas of national endeavour, there is need for imagination, careful planning, need for imagination, careful planning,

thoroughness, hard work, sweat, integrity, thoroughness, hard work, sweat, integrity, dedication, self-discipline and the willingness dedication, self-discipline and the willingness to sacrifice all for the common good…. All the to sacrifice all for the common good…. All the

funds in the world will be to no avail if we funds in the world will be to no avail if we suffer from lack of these intangible forces suffer from lack of these intangible forces

that make a nation great.” that make a nation great.”

---Sen. Jovito R. Salonga 2003. ---Sen. Jovito R. Salonga 2003.

The Intangibles that Make a Nation GreatThe Intangibles that Make a Nation Great

APPEALAPPEAL

““Alma Mater Check” and “Check mate”Alma Mater Check” and “Check mate” Anti-cheating school policyAnti-cheating school policy Review of Sports developmentReview of Sports development Review of contests and debatesReview of contests and debates Review of recollections and exposuresReview of recollections and exposures Review of alumni programsReview of alumni programs Develop a culture of profound respect Develop a culture of profound respect

for wordsfor words

INTEGRITY REVIEW WORKSHOPINTEGRITY REVIEW WORKSHOP

VALUESVALUES DISVALUEDISVALUESS

RECOMMERECOMMENDATIONNDATION

Religious Religious InstructioInstructionn

Love of Love of GodGod

Lack Lack citizenshicitizenship values;p values;

SpiritualisSpiritualismm

Integrate Integrate Preamble Preamble of the Phil of the Phil Constitu-Constitu-tion in tion in curriculucurriculum; m;



RECOMMERECOMMENDATIONSNDATIONS

RecollectiRecollectionon

Sports Sports ProgramProgram

Alumni Alumni AffairsAffairs



RECOMMERECOMMENDATIONSNDATIONS

Exposure Exposure programprogram

Contests Contests and and awardsawards

PurchasinPurchasing g practicespractices

““Upang maitindig natin ang bantayog Upang maitindig natin ang bantayog ng ating lipunan, kailangang radikal ng ating lipunan, kailangang radikal

nating baguhin hindi lamang ang nating baguhin hindi lamang ang ating mga institusyon, kundi maging ating mga institusyon, kundi maging

ang ating pag-iisip at ang ating pag-iisip at pamumuhay. Kailangan ang pamumuhay. Kailangan ang

rebolusyon hindi lamang sa rebolusyon hindi lamang sa panlabas, kundi lalo na sa panloob!”panlabas, kundi lalo na sa panloob!”

Apolinario MabiniLa Revolucion Filipina (1898)

Documents

Albert E. Alejo, SJ, PhD Mindanawon Initiatives for Cultural Dialogue