The corruption trail

SKETCHES

- ANA MARIE PAMINTUAN

Where does the corruption start? Because of the depth of the problem, anti-corruption crackdowns and probes tend to blow up in the face of the initiator. At the Senate, there was that funny moment when contractor Sarah Discaya said her family's companies had been in the construction business for 23 years. Upon questioning, she replied that their deals with the government surged when they gained a foothold in the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH). Sen. Ronald dela Rosa's perfectly sensible follow-up question: And when did this happen?

In 2016, Discaya replied. Say again? Senator Bato heard that right: 2016. Uh-oh, awkward pause. No more sensible follow-up questions.

Later, Senator Bato told reporters that the probe on flood control anomalies should also cover, sure why not, the administration of his bossing forever, Rodrigo Duterte. But don't stop there, Senator Bato said; include all past administrations.

The budget deliberations inevitably have their awkward moments as well. Those responsible for the mangling of this year's General Appropriations Act (GAA), producing what has been described by knowledgeable folks as the most corrupt budget ever, are busy dribbling blame to the crazy rich contractors and their cohorts in the DPWH.

To stop lawmakers' insertions in the budget, Sen. Panfilo Lacson suggested that Congress adopt in toto the national expenditure program (NEP) submitted by the executive.