Five Seconds to End Corruption and Political Dynasty - Will they sign?

A contract has three important elements: a promise, an obligation, and a penalty.

A sworn affidavit, even though it is not a contract, can be used by any good politician to build trust and win votes.

• A promise made during the campaign period.
• An obligation to fulfill that promise.
• A penalty in case the politician fails to deliver.

Benigno Aquino III promised to pass the Freedom of Information Bill into Law during the campaign period. However, after elected as President, he failed to prioritize the bill for six consecutive years.

Corruption has become the norm among many politicians. Good people become bad due to the lack of a transparency mechanism. Even the Vice President proudly announced in public:

"Napakaliit na amount ang P150 million. So bakit kami magnanakaw ng P150 million? Ang nakawan sa gobyerno ay bilyon-bilyon."
(P150 million is a very small amount. So why would we steal P150 million? Corruption in the government involves billions.)

There are 149 cities and 89 provinces in the Philippines. If each of them had a Freedom of Information Ordinance (or Local Law) with a penalty provision, it would be a powerful tool against corruption in the entire Philippines.

In 2018, Mayor Vico Sotto  introduced a local FOI law in Pasig City with penalties:

• 1st Offense: Reprimand
• 2nd Offense: Suspension of five (5) to thirty (30) days
• 3rd Offense: Dismissal from service

"May ngipin ang lokal na batas."

Any local public official can be dismissed from office and lose their job if they fail to provide the requested document to the public.

Without corruption, we can have more funding for education, health, and other public services. All Filipinos can go to school without financial difficulties due to scholarships, and everyone can get the medical treatment they need without waiting for months or years.

This affidavit is an experiment—but one worth trying.

If it does not work, life moves on.

"Mabubudol na naman ang taumbayan ng mga politicians with empty promises."

But if it does work, it could be an unorthodox solution for passing the Freedom of Information Ordinance and other landmark laws in many cities and provinces.

"We can either accept deception as normal, or we can try something new."

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The question to all Mayor and Governor Aspirants:

Will you sign this document in five seconds?

I can sign a document like this in five seconds. You can sign a document like this in five seconds. A good politician, to end broken promises, can sign a document like this in five seconds.

Even a blind Filipino, after hearing the FOI Ordinance of Mayor Vico Sotto, can sign this document in five seconds.

As a responsible Filipinos, we must demand from all politicians the highest standard of public service, transparency, and real accountability.

Elections only happen every three years. And there is a 45-day campaign period to sign a document like this in five seconds.

Kindly tag or send this document to any Mayor and Governor candidate. A wise person will act upon it.

The future is ours to change - let us start now.

Ipanalo natin ang Pilipinas !!!

Author: Jonelle Peter Munoz (no-coauthor)