VP Sara's rants and the need for political reform

THE CORNER ORACLE

- ANDREW J. MASIGAN

I spent the better part of last week briefing the diplomatic and corporate communities on VP Sara's tirades and what it could mean for our political future. Although I tried very hard to be matter-of-fact, beneath my stoic front, I was both embarrassed and demoralized.

Embarrassed because the second highest official in the land displayed unbridled vulgarity, a lack of restraint and thug-like behavior. She displayed the worst of Filipino behavior for all the world to see.

I was demoralized because the specter of political instability looms over the country again and it is scaring away investors. It's bad enough that the reforms to make the country a more attractive investment destination are not happening fast enough. VP Sara's brat-line tantrum set us back even further. Now, hundreds of investment projects are put on hold.

So here we are, sabotaging our own progress again. We could have avoided this drama if only the VP properly liquidated the hundreds of millions of confidential funds issued to her office. But she is unable to. So she hides behind her people and goes on a rampage to reset the national conversation. It is an old tactic of diversion that no longer works. We see the situation for what it is. If the VP is unable to liquidate to the satisfaction of COA, then she better reimburse the national treasury.

But our problems are deeper than malversation of funds. The Marcos-Duterte feud is a manifestation of a flawed political system – a system that perpetuates political dynasties, patronage politics, runaway corruption, political entitlement and low-quality leadership.

Our flawed political system is also the reason why our economy has lost much of its competitiveness and why severe income inequality persists.