A civil society organization on Tuesday called on Congress to remove government programs that promote patronage politics and corruption.
“What we are saying is that we have to remove the tendency, the system, the incentives for lawmakers to use these to promote dependent patron-client relationships,” Adolfo Jose Montesa, co-convenor of the Roundtable for Inclusive Growth, said at the Senate hearing.
“Instead, imagine … rules-based, rights-based systems to provide these services to people,” he said.
He said Congress should remove approximately P256 billion allocated for “protection-based programs” and divert them toward better social protection and socioeconomic development programs.
According to Mr. Montesa, government programs that implement the politics of patronage include the Assistance to Persons with Disabilities (AICS), Medical Assistance Program for the Poor and Economically Disadvantaged Patients (MAIFIP), Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Displaced/Displaced Workers (TUPAD), and Tulong Dunong.
“These are pork, because instead of guaranteeing people's rights, these programs have turned citizens into customers and politicians into gatekeepers,” he said.
He said the programs “robbed people of their dignity by forcing them to seek assistance from politicians.”
This year's budget deliberations have come under increased public scrutiny after numerous unscheduled funding and line-item insertions were found in the 2025 budget. – Adrian H. Halili
