Social Transformation, Its Paramount Importance - Third Part

President Aquino has the unenviable task of cleaning the Philippine Augean stables of culture of corruption seeping from the top down to the lower echelons of our government. His integrity is above reproach but many of his trusted advisers and appointees reportedly will not pass Caesar's wife criteria having succumbed to the systemic corruption in the government. But, with the full support of the citizenry, P-Noy can excise the malefactors from the government's rank and file in due time.

President Aquino must exorcise the politics of patronage practiced by most elected and appointed officials who exploit the government offices and agencies to enrich themselves and their patrons as well as building their political bases for future plans. Yet, it's a virtual

mission impossible for P-Noy as long as the senators and congressmen are given the privilege of pork barrel which is prone to abuses and corruption among unscrupulous legislators.

In line with his campaign against corruption, he can insure transparency in the use of pork barrel to discourage the culture of corruption which was the way of life in the previous administration. Of course, it will be an arduous task that has to be done otherwise, failure to do so will mean following the crooked ways of the Arroyo regime, a curse to the nation's well being.  

Changing the present self-service mindset of many government people in favor of genuine public service is a top priority in initiating social transformation in the country. With our full support as citizen watchdogs, we can pressure any government officials tending towards misbehavior in their official duties to return to the straight path.