Are We the Reason Corruption Thrives in the Philippines?

Corruption and thievery start with you.

That’s a hard truth, isn’t it? Yet, it’s worth asking: Do we push politicians to be corrupt through our own actions? Every election season, there’s an expectation that money will change hands—that a few pesos or small gifts will be given in exchange for votes. It’s almost an unwritten rule.

And that’s where it all begins.

We often look at politicians and shake our heads when they’re caught in scandals or accused of stealing from the people. But maybe, just maybe, the problem doesn’t lie with them alone. Maybe the problem starts with the very people who demand and accept bribes—people who don’t think twice about asking for favors during campaign season. In the end, does corruption start from the top, or does it grow from the bottom?

A Culture of Corruption

Corruption isn’t new. It has become so normalized in Filipino politics that many of us turn a blind eye. We justify it. We say, “Everyone does it,” or “It’s just how the system works.” But when we allow corrupt behavior to flourish—when we ignore it because it benefits us personally—aren’t we part of the problem?

Loyalty to a candidate, or simply being part of their inner circle, often blinds people to the truth. We defend them, rationalizing their actions because we’ve been taught that personal connections outweigh integrity. It’s like the rot starts slow, but it spreads until we can’t tell where it began.

Maybe it began with us.

The Voter’s Mindset

We love to point fingers at politicians. But what if the real issue is the voter’s mindset? What if Filipinos have become so used to corruption that we actually seek it out without realizing it?

It’s the norm during campaign season. People expect candidates to give away money, food, or promises of jobs in exchange for support. It’s almost like an unspoken agreement: Give me something now, and I’ll give you my vote. But that’s the foundation of corruption, and it’s why the cycle never breaks.

It’s painful to admit, but the mentality of putting short-term personal gain over long-term national progress is one of the reasons corruption thrives.

The Honest Candidates Who Don’t Stand a Chance

Let’s not forget the few who actually want to bring about real change. These are the candidates who refuse to participate in bribery, who run with integrity and a genuine vision for the country. They want to clean up the system and lead with honesty.

And they rarely win.

Why? Because voters expect something more tangible. Something that can be held, consumed, or spent. It doesn’t matter how qualified or well-intentioned a candidate is—if they’re not willing to grease palms or shower their supporters with money, they fade into the background.

Honesty doesn’t pay when the electorate demands cash in hand.

And when good candidates lose because they refuse to engage in corrupt practices, we all lose.

The Ripple Effect of Corruption

It’s easy to see how this impacts future elections. Every time a voter chooses money or gifts over integrity, it sets a new standard for what’s expected. This means that the next time around, even more money will be exchanged. More favors will be promised. And fewer honest candidates will have the courage to run because they know the deck is stacked against them.

We see the same faces in power because the system ensures it. The rich and corrupt remain in control, and those who want real change are forced out before they even get a chance.

The cycle continues.

The Role of Media and Social Media

We can’t ignore the media’s role in this mess. Traditional media often protects corrupt politicians by downplaying their scandals, or worse, turning them into entertainment. Instead of addressing the real issues, we see personality politics at play—glamorizing the very people who are bleeding the nation dry.

Social media plays its part, too. It can spread misinformation faster than ever, and often, voters get trapped in echo chambers. They hear only what they want to hear, surrounded by voices that confirm their beliefs, no matter how flawed. This makes it even harder to challenge corruption at its roots.

But social media also has potential. It can be a platform for accountability, a space where corrupt politicians are called out and exposed. If used wisely, it can become a powerful tool for change.

Is It Corruption or Survival?

Here’s where the issue gets complicated. Is it corruption if people accept money during election time, or is it survival? In a country where many struggle just to meet basic needs, can we really blame someone for taking money when it’s offered?

For some, accepting money or gifts feels like the only way to survive. It’s not about greed—it’s about desperation. People in poverty-stricken areas may feel they have no choice but to take what’s given, even if they know it’s wrong.

The lines blur between right and wrong when people are just trying to get by.

Breaking the Cycle: Grassroots Solutions

So, how do we break this cycle? The solution has to start from the ground up. At the grassroots level, we need to educate voters about the long-term damage that corruption causes. It’s not just about a few pesos or a sack of rice—it’s about the future of the country.

We need to empower communities to hold their leaders accountable. When local leaders know their actions are being watched, they’re less likely to engage in corrupt behavior. Rebuilding trust in government has to start with small steps, beginning with those few honest leaders who still exist.

But most importantly, we have to change the culture. Schools, religious institutions, and the media all have a role to play in shifting the mindset from one that accepts corruption to one that values integrity.

A Personal Reflection

Here’s the thing: I want to help. But sometimes, it feels like nobody’s listening. I write these words, and it feels like they disappear into the void. I question whether anything can change when corruption feels so ingrained, so deep in our culture.

But small steps matter.

Even if nobody reads, even if nobody listens, change starts somewhere. It starts with one person, one conversation, one moment of refusing to participate in a corrupt system. The challenge is huge, but if we all stay silent, nothing changes.

Maybe it starts with you.

Maybe it starts with us.

Breaking the Chains of Corruption: It Starts with You

In the end, breaking the cycle of corruption requires all of us to take a hard look at our own actions. Politicians may steal from the people, but if we keep asking for money during campaigns, we’re only pushing them further down that path.

It may seem impossible to change such a deeply rooted system, but change always starts small. Whether it’s through writing, speaking out, or simply refusing to take part in the bribery that surrounds elections, every step counts. We can’t expect honest leadership to rise if we continue to demand corruption in return for our votes.

Small steps can lead to big changes. Maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow, but someday.

And that someday starts with us.