Building a culture of honesty, integrity and accountability

Rebuilding from the roots — this advocacy is to implant the culture of honesty and integrity in the hearts and minds of the populace to eradicate the embedded culture of corruption in our beloved country.

- MAP INSIGHTS REYNALDO T. CASAS

Our beloved country is facing one of the most challenging crises in its history — a crisis born of widespread, government-driven corruption. This tragedy is felt most deeply by the marginalized and disadvantaged populations, whose hopes are stolen every time public resources meant for their welfare are diverted for personal gain. Corruption denies them quality of education, decent healthcare, an honest livelihood, and the dignity that comes from fair opportunity. This is all the more painful when we remember that the Philippines stands as the largest Christian nation in Asia and the 5" largest in the world — a nation whose values should be rooted in honesty, service, and love for neighbor, especially the marginalized and underserved.

Today, the pervasive social norm is that “corruption has become a rule rather than an exception.” A belief that many people embrace based on a belief that “if everybody is doing it, I might as well do it too.” Thus, corruption is deeply embedded in the hearts and minds of the populace, from the bottom of the pyramid to the top.

The core advocacy is to commence implantation of honesty and integrity in the world of the academe, starting from kindergarten, through to high school, college, and postgraduate levels. Today, these measures of enhancing the culture of honesty and integrity hardly exist in the world of the academe.

In every level, from kindergarten to postgraduate, the framework of honesty and integrity must be tailored fit according to the age and degree of knowledge and perceptions.

If corruption can be learned, so can integrity. And if dishonesty can spread through a nation, so can honesty, accountability, and moral courage — beginning with us, and the way we lead our institutions in government, business, education, and the church.

THE HOPE WE CAN BUILD