Corruption: A Moral Cancer to the Greedy
Thesis statement: Corruption a practice that is widely exercised by those who have power and
are greedy, but can also be done by an ordinary citizen in a daily basis.

When talking about corruption the first thing that comes to the mind of many is the
government, since it is widely known that some officials are doing something behind our
backs. Many issues about it are known but still, it continues because their power made
them untouchable.
o When elections are near, you would see a lot of roads being destroyed even if it is
still good as new. Politicians made it as their way to make their name known,
make people believe in them, and trust their credibility. In fact, projects like this
are such a big question to many because where did they get this huge amount of
money. And instead of using this money to help those people who are less
fortunate, or the people in the community, they prioritize these projects instead of
the welfare of their community.
o Issues about the pork barrel, graft and corruption are also known in the
government. People would face charges with regards with this issue but still, the
government gives them position to lead the country. There are “Excessive
spending irregularities case of the officials are facing and was removed from the
office but are still getting reappointed Aceron (2020). Just like how “Bong
Revilla” who is now our senator has a position. He filed a certificate of candidacy
even though he is inside his jail. According to Buan (2018), “Because Revilla is in
jail for one count of plunder and 16 counts of graft, his wife, Bacoor City Mayor
Lani Mercado Revilla, filed the COC on his behalf on Wednesday, October 17, at
the Commission on Elections (Comelec) headquarters in Intramuros, Manila”. It
is just so absurd that even if this kind of issues are present in an official that is
running for candidacy still, the government is consenting it.
o

The citizens are the one responsible to make officials have a position and since
they normalize “corruption”, they tend to neglect or forget what their community
really needs. That is why when elections are near, people tend to accept bribery.
“People actually get to elect government officials who would justify stealing
money from public offers because that's their way of staying in power. Also,
it is a never ending cycle and politicians abuse it, because people are allowing
(consenting) it” (Pils video- Joy Aceron).
Just to make their end meets, there are instances that even normal citizens tend to do
wrong of others like when they know that the one buying on their stores have the
“means” they tend to make their goods and services overpriced.
o Just like in local supermarkets. What others do not know is that some
vendors put tricks in their weighing scales. They tend to adjust their scales
so that the product given to the customer will be lighter than what they
have paid for. That's why a project called “Timbangan ng Bayan Center”
was made to ensure the accuracy of the goods that consumers are
purchasing because as what Dela Cruz (2020) stated, “The practice of
vendors manipulating the scales to cheat their customers is far too
common. And Consumers in markets do not have the equipment to check
the accuracy of the products that they buy. By the time they find out that
they have been cheated, they have already left the market which makes it
very difficult for them to file a complaint”.
o Some locals also take advantage of tourist in their town. They tend to offer
more expensive services or products to foreigners and first time tourist and
use some sort of strategy to make more sales. Just like using the strategy
“skimming pricing” wherein you set a high initial price for a product and
its idea is to go after consumers who are willing to pay a high price (top of
the market) and buy products early” Principles of Marketing (n.d.).

Lastly corruption is also present in our schools. There are instances that people who have
lots of connections use their power to enter or be at their chosen university without
exerting efforts like others. All they need is money and power and surely, they will be at
their dream schools without sweat.
o According to Unesco (n.d.), “It is estimated that corruption is sucking
millions of dollars out of the system, and as a result many children are
missing out on an education due to malpractices and a serious lack of
ethics in the system”. In here we could see how absurd our system could
be. Instead of using this money for the welfare of the students, they use it
for their personal gains. They also accept bribery which is so
unacceptable. It is very unfair to those students who work and put their
best in school only to know that some pass because of this bribery.
CONCLUSION:
Generally speaking, corruption refers to the abuse of power for private and personal gains, it
does not only revolve to the government but that branch is the most prevalent one. It's important
to remember that corruption is a moral concept with a wide range of manifestations; not all types
are illegal, let alone political, and it can manifest itself in a variety of ways, as we discussed
earlier. It is said that we are so mad at corruption happening in the higher-ups not knowing that
we also do it at some point in our life but we are not aware of it because we focused too much on
the bigger ones. It is not primarily a cognitive failure, but rather a moral failure that one is aware
of and does not take pride in. In return for certain external products, it takes the road of dishonor.
A self-accepted moral suicide, a temporary relief of pain and enjoyment on the part of the doer
that will result in their loss of self-control and long-term suffering for the receiver or the citizens
whom those corrupt serve. How can we expect a major change if we cannot start even in the
simplest thing, it has become so prevalent that people tend to do it so naturally now. We always
see it on a bigger scale that we started putting aside the smaller scale not knowing that when
those small acts are collected together it can also compare to those happening in the government.
Just like those weighing scales in the public market, it may seem so small because you would
think that it's just a couple of grams that was taken away from a customer, but when you think of
it, that store does not only have you as a costumer there are still many customers that can be a
victim by that scheme and with that, they can accumulate kilos worth of products paid but not
distributed properly, just like how our budget in government is being handled, people pay their
taxes accordingly but they do not know where that money goes. If only all of us would work all
together in restoring our economy, for sure that no one will be left behind. Will we wait for the
gap between each of us to broaden even more and continue to live in all the downsides of
corruption or will we step forward and lead the change?
Sources:
Buan, L. (2018). Awaiting judgment for plunder, Bong Revilla launches Senate bid from
jail.
Retrieved
from
https://www.rappler.com/nation/elections/bong-revilla-files-
candidacy-senator
https://www.manilatimes.net/2020/03/02/news/top-stories/house-panel-approves-timbangan-ngbayan/698651/amp/
https://open.lib.umn.edu/principlesmarketing/chapter/15-3-pricing-strategies/
Photos are taken from google
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xgjzdd41lN8