Money in Politics: Considering Integrity and Power

In the last filing of candidacy for presidency, 130 Filipinos showed interest to be the president of the Philippines. Filipinos intend to run for public positions because of the government benefits that invariably exceed private sector benefits such as job security, and connections within the government. Money impairs politics in many different measures. Two terms give emphasis and significance to money in politics, campaign finance and disclosure. “Campaign finance” refers to all funds raised in order to promote candidates, political parties, or policies in elections, referendums, initiatives, party activities, and party organizations, while “Disclosure” refers to the release of information about a person.

A politician in a democratic country, like the Philippines, greatly depends on the money to get elected. He is constantly under an enormous amount of pressure to please the citizens of the country. The influence of money is prevalent indeed. In electing people in public office rely on the decision of the majority. That is a reason why one would use any means to get to the position. Candidates aspiring for elective public offices abused and disregard the regulations stipulated by the government regarding campaign finance which results in vote buying and election fraud. This practice can be solved by strict compliance of the disclosure of election expenses as well as publishing the reports of expenditure for public access.

Something is envisioned to solve a problem, but is actually the problem. Public position officers were presumed to cater the people public welfare. However, it should not be forgotten that there are responsibilities carried simultaneously with position. According to O. Cruz (2012), “Philippine politics, the way it has been and is still being practiced is possibly the biggest bane in our life as a nation, and the most pernicious obstacle to our achieving full human development.” One would surely be able to recognize the familiar faces of...