World bank loan to Philippine High Court irregular
@taki_takaishi (1279)
Philippines
January 15, 2012 6:58pm CST
"The World Bank in the Philippines has uncovered questionable procurments and disburments in the high court in connection with the Judicial Reform Support Project (JSRP). The project, partly funded by a World Bank loan of US$21.9 Million, was designed to restore efficiency in the dispensation of Justice in the country."
When I first read this headline from yahoo news, I was shock on how much loan the World Bank gave to High Court. That is like you can feed millions of poor filipinos for at least 2 years (just estimating). As I read further question has built up as to where did the money go. Loaning from World bank is no big joke for me, because when we loan something from them, we Filipino workers are the ones suffering from it. Imagine from the hike of some prices to taxes and all and where do the money go we all ask, no where to be found is the answer to this. And by reading further, the loan that was made was not even paid (now this answers the question why world bank stop loaning money to our country since 2008). And what made me furious is this:
"The World Bank is now demanding a refund of $199,900, covering "70 paymets" deemed "ineligible" of unauthorised under the terms of the JRSP, by January 31."
Now I ask, who in the world is going to pay that? Us? The citizens of the philippines who can barely afford to buy luxury stuff because of the taxes? Honestly, for once I would like to see the government to pay this one from their own pockets and not from what they stole from us. Seriously, had they have enough from this stealing thing, the government officials don't even pay taxes and they had the right to steal.
Don't you sometimes feel that this kind of stuff makes it frustrating that you wish that everything should be erased? I do sometimes feel this way because this is not right anymore.
So, what do everybody think about it?
7 responses
@greenpeas (998)
• Philippines
16 Jan 12
The embattled Supreme Court should explain fully what happened to the loan that was given to them which was supposedly aimed to make the court more effective in dispending justice. We all know its nothing but that.
Perhaps this should explain how CJ Corona was able to acquire his fancy condos. I believe this could be another nail in the coffin to the already troubled Corona.
@greenpeas (998)
• Philippines
20 Jan 12
@yahnee the World Bank cited Corona and Marquez as the personnel in the SC that was responsible for these irregularities. Please dont even include Davide's name and no amount of technicality blabberings can hide the fact that this is the World Bank speaking, an entity not controlled by the present government but whose statements connive with the charges of corruption levelled by PNoy against the Arroyo appointees in the Supreme Court.
@yahnee (1243)
• Philippines
16 Jan 12
The funds were loaned before Corona's term. The Supreme Court justice then was the Honorable Hilario Davide. This loan is not a part of the impeachment proceedings and was just brought out in public lately to gain public outcry. We just have to know more in order to seek out the truth. I am not taking any sides and my only wish is a fair trial not a source of revenge for whatever rulings and judgments that the Supreme Court has made.
@SinfulRose (3527)
• Davao, Philippines
16 Jan 12
I think, "Poor Filipinos who only knows how to complain and don't know how to find money." Yes, I pity the workers whose taxes raise but it is also our fault, citizens, that we are only "work forces" of the country and don't know how to keep money within our grasps, for a long period of time, instead of disbursing them to pay more taxes as we get more income.
I also think, "it is the time for Filipinos to finally learn how to use money" because truthfully speaking, we suck in keeping them and using them. All we ever do is keep on digging holes yet we won't even know it even if it goes over our heads until such time people would ask for payment.
I won't waste my time getting angry at the government (because it is just partially their fault but not totally. Just face it, each one of us has his/her own faults in this when we Filipinos don't even know how to be disciplined enough in all aspects. I know many would react negatively to this and you're free to raise them to me.); I won't even waste my time getting angry at the moment. Though this situation is distressing and disappointing, what use are these emotions to the problem at hand aside for making it worse for you? for me? for each of us citizens of this very rich yet super poor country?
Feel free to ask me if you don't know what I mean in my above statements...
@taki_takaishi (1279)
• Philippines
16 Jan 12
You are right, we have our own faults as well. But this issue is already the government particularly the judiciary fault. For one we are paying these debt to the world bank not them. If they say they are also paying, I would love to see the proof that they are paying the taxes...the right taxes...
It frustrates me that they borrow such huge amount that goes where --- nowhere to be found --- and later when they are showing this and that next thing we know that another debt has been added in out shoulders. Some may not care, but I do care because money does not come in easily, I work extra hours so that extra hours of payment goes to paying the taxes and others and the rest of my money goes to the expenses.
Sorry.. I know it's way beyond my rants.. kinda bit frustrating sometimes..
@SinfulRose (3527)
• Davao, Philippines
16 Jan 12
Fact: "The more you work for more income, the more you pay taxes and the more your expense."
I haven't yet been in your experience since I am still a full time student, fortunately for me but unfortunately because I can't fully comprehend your situation. But it's already an existing problem. What do you plan to do to solve it?
Unlike other people, if I have a problem, I try my very best to solve it. (I was just taught this way: "If you have a problem, find the solution but never focus on the problem." & "Whine for all you like but you're just wasting precious time instead of using those seconds to solve it.") My solution to this problem is like this: "I better start learning how to use my money better than those idiots you call intelligent people who runs things so unwisely"(is my way of saying it.)
@rsa101 (38148)
• Philippines
20 Jan 12
Although 199K is just almost 1% of the total loaned amount of 21M but I guess it is heavy for us who did not benefit from it. The thing is most of the disapproved disbursement was under the leadership of the Chief Justice which is undergoing impeachment trials. This is the latest findings from which I know is not included in the impeachment complaint. I hope this could also be discussed in the trials since I think it is vital that this is presented as one evidence that will show there is misconduct in the leadership of the current Chief Justice.
@beamer88 (4259)
• Philippines
16 Jan 12
It doesn't come as a surprise anymore to me. We really have a long way to go to rid ourselves of corruption. But it still had saddened me since this branch of our government, our judiciary who we look up to uphold the law no matter what pressures it gets from the other branches, is the least that I expect to succumb to corruption.
@jeanneyvonne (5501)
• Philippines
16 Jan 12
Like you, I do hope that the government or any concerned party would be willing enough to refund this on their own, instead of this amount being carried over to us (taxes and inflation are already killing some of us). In a sense, we're not directly involved in this matter and not everyone is going to benefit from this. Personally, I hate to pay for something that I never used or utilized, much less know.
Perhaps, if the government is a willing to shoulder this for us, it would be a good show of responsibility and accountability...but that's just me.
From a cynical point of view, I doubt that the greedy politicians or anyone who benefited from corruption or money-stealing would be honest enough to face the music and turn over the monies. They won’t let go of their ill-gotten wealth if they can find a way or a reason to keep it in their bulging pockets. ‘
Somehow I can’t bring myself to get mad at the World Bank since it has been doing its duty – lend the money and see how that money is spent. If they spotted some irregularity on behalf of the government, even I won’t lend a single coin to that government since it has been proven itself to be corrupt and undeserving, not only of the trust but the money as well.
Exposes like this drain my expectation of us in the international perspective and as a member of this nation. The government, regardless of administration, seems to be putting one bad foot after another. And we aren’t doing anything substantial yet to turn the tide. I hope that someday we can clean our image and stand proudly with other nations, not just in the perspective of an international organization but the whole world as well.
@taki_takaishi (1279)
• Philippines
16 Jan 12
You're right, wishing that they could solve this because having debts with them is no big joke. Though, I wonder how the audit will solve this. I wonder what excuse they will say just to say that the money went to the right place when I don't think I saw any improvements, maybe it can't be seen but I am sure it is not a big project.
I wonder if this world would instead use the barter system than the money system so that nobody will be greedy.. hehehe.
@louievill (28851)
• Philippines
16 Jan 12
It comes as a no surprise for me, sorry countrymen, everything in our country that involves money and the government seems to be irregular or has some kind of irregularity into it and it does not matter what branch of government. I think it's common practice
(just my opinion) but I bet most people would agree
(just my opinion) but I bet most people would agree
