PH ranking in corruption index improves

MANILA – The Philippines improves a bit in Transparency International’s Corruption Perception Index, which captures the perception of corruption in the public sector by business people and country experts outside the country.

On a scale of zero to 100, with zero being most corrupt, the Philippines ranked 85 out of 175 countries with a score of 38/100.

The Philippines previously scored 34/100 and ranked 105 in 2012. Last year, the Philippines had a 36/100 score and a rank of 94.

Although the Philippines still belongs to two thirds of the 175 countries ranked who scored below 50, this is a marked improvement from the 2012 CPI score, according to Transparency International.

Dr. Cleo Calimbahin, Executive Director of Transparency International-Philippines, said he considers the score of + 4 “to represent change in the perceived level of corruption.”

According to Transparency International, the international community is looking favorably at the reform initiatives of the country.

It said the Philippine score, while it remains below 50/100, should encourage public and private sector leaders to continue to push for good governance and inclusive growth, prosecution and sanctions against the corrupt, and effective delivery of public services.

President Aquino on Wednesday warned more cases will be filed against government officials found to be involved in anomalous deals.

At the second state conference on the UN Convention Against Corruption in Malacanang, Aquino trumpeted his administration’s anti-corruption reforms including programs to go after smugglers, tax evaders and erring officials.

“Prominent lawmakers, former heads of GOCCs and government agencies, and others in the private sector who conspired to steal from the people through the Priority Development Assistance Fund have been arrested and are now undergoing the appropriate processes to determine accountability. We should emphasize: these are only the initial cases filed; more will come once the necessary evidence is assembled,” Aquino said. –ABS-CBNnews.com