In 2005, the Political and Economic Risk Consultancy Report revealed that the Philippines is the second most corrupt country in Asia. But a lot of studies about corruption in our country were already done before this controversial report came out. For instance, corruption and cronyism were identified as the most glaring weaknesses in. the country by multinational companies

A World Bank study in 2000, however, revealed that no one could accurately measure the extensiveness of corruption within the country as there is no systematic data available on its magnitude, location, or trend. But the same study stated that “several information sources provide a strong indication that corruption is systemic and a key public policy issue,” and that “corruption in the public and private sectors in the Philippines is pervasive and deep-rooted, touching even the judiciary and the media.”

Meanwhile, in the 2006 Corruption Perception Index released by global corruption watchdog Transparency International, the Philippines got a score of 2.5 on a scale of 0 to 10, with 0 being highly corrupt and 10 very clean. The Philippines, along with Russia, Rwanda, Swaziland, Nepal, Honduras, Guyana, Gambia and Benin, ranked 121st among 163 countries rated for their degree of corruption.

The World Bank and Transparency International define corruption as “the abuse of public office for private gain.” Public office means a public officer is entrusted with all the authority to perform public function. But to use one’s authority for anything outside public function is to abuse one’s position. So when a government official uses a government vehicle to take his family on a pleasure trip, he is abusing his position.At a smaller scale, when a government employee brings home pens, pencils, notebooks, paper clips for his children’s use in school, he is practicing corruption.

Corruption though does not have to be in terms of money. It can be in the form of services or favors and personal gain is not limited to the person committing the act. A family member, relative or friend who is hired by a government official even when there is someone more competent or more qualified for the job, is equally guilty of corruption as the official who bestowed such favor.

But why do people commit corruption? Some say they

are paid a salary so low that they are left with no choice but to seek extra income to cover family expenses. Others are driven by greed — from the love of money and the things it can buy. Still others say they are forced into it because corruption has been widely accepted as a culture in their offices, and refusing bribes makes them unpopular to their peers and targets of persecution. Persecution might mean being given unreasonable tasks and deadlines, not being promoted, or being ostracized.

Sadly, these people do not realize that corruption has huge implications on their spiritual well-being. Corruption actually intertwines with Christianity being a religion founded on biblical principles. Jesus himself was explicit in His stand against corruption as He laid down in the Bible the standards on how we should live life here on earth, “Do not extort money – be content with your pay” (Luke 3:14, New International Version Student Bible). He promised that if we seek first God’s kingdom and His righteousness, He will meet all our needs – food, clothing, shelter, and even the things we desire if He thinks they are best for us.

A hunger for power and craving for prestige also makes people corrupt. Christianity frowned on this attitude as Jesus himself did not use power even though heaven and earth was at His disposal. When His disciples were discussing who will be the greatest among them once Jesus leaves them, Jesus told them that “the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves” (Luke 22:26, NIV Student Bible).

If we, therefore, commit an act of corruption, we are opposing God’s principles and disobeying God’s teachings. The Book of Proverbs warns us that “a wicked man accepts a bribe in secret to pervert the course of justice.” (Proverbs 17:23, NIV Student Bible). Jesus hates injustice so much and His heart goes out to those who are oppressed. Expect that He will defend those who are victimized by corrupt people. And when He does this, who can ever defeat the God of the universe and His wrath?

In conclusion, reading about corruption and knowing about Jesus and His principles makes one thing clear to me: Corruption and Christianity definitely do not mix. Let us rethink then the kind of Christianity we have. Can we truly be considered followers of Jesus Christ or are we just calling ourselves Christians without understanding what the term implies? I remember what the great Mahatma Gandhi said about Christianity: “I like your Christ, but I don’t like your Christians.” He has a good point there. Sometimes, the truth hurts.