The Philippine Public Transparency Reporting Project has produced a Media and Public Transparency and Accountability Survey aimed both as a project guide and baseline study to help us respond to stated need while allowing the project to measure any change in perceptions, behavior and impact on media coverage of corruption as a consequence of the project.

This report was produced in early 2010 by the Center for Community Journalism and Development, one of the four partner organizations in PPTRP. A second survey will be produced toward the end of the project in August 2011.

This baseline study looks at present levels of effectiveness of knowledge, skills, attitudes and practices around corruption reporting by media as reported to PPTRP by different groups in Mindanao and the Visayas. It also looks at how effectively media is perceived to be collaborating with civil society when working on such issues. Study respondents were drawn from the media itself, civil society, government (local government units, state agencies, etc.), and from the general public.

Focus group discussions (FGDs) were used as the main methodology of the study and these were backed by a questionnaire sent out respondents prior to the discussions held. PPTRP through the CCJD met with groups in Northern Samar and North Cotabato and will return to meet these groups and others in 2011.

Summary of Findings

Two FGDs were conducted: one in Catbalogan City in Northern Samar, and another in Kidapawan City in North Cotabato.

A total of 60 respondents, 30 from each province, participated in the FGDs and completed the survey questionnaires. Representation by gender from the media sector was about equal with a little over 50 percent composed of female respondents. (See table below.)

Ages of media respondents from both provinces ranged from 31 to 60 with a median age of about 40. Many of the Northern Samar respondents were from a mix of radio, TV and print while majority of those from North Cotabato were radio journalists.

The respondents were asked to answer a 21-item questionnaire prior to the conduct of a half-day FGD for each of the sectors. The FGD covered 8 to 9 questions to gather deeper insights and to clarify some points raised and responses in the questionnaire.

The survey results are based on perceptions thus a qualitative pattern or trending of their answers are described. The report compares perception-responses of the media sector with those of the two other sectors: the local government/government agency and civil society organizations/citizens in the survey areas. Comparison was made primarily on the role of media in addressing corruption issues in the past up to the present. The results can provide substantial baseline information for project implementation and evaluation.

A. Common definition of corruption in the Philippines and its prevalence (with examples in their area/province), as cited by majority of the respondents from the two areas and from across the three sectors

• Corruption is perceived by the three sectors in both provinces to be basically stealing of public funds.
• It is described on paper (questionnaire) and during the FGD as misuse (squandering/wastage), abuse and stealing of not just funds programmed for projects of the local government for personal gain but also of other logistics/resources of government, e.g. time, office supplies, fertilizers, medicines.
• Corruption may take many forms such as “SOP” (standard rates given to an official or an employee, high-ranking or otherwise), rigged bidding, overpricing, non-delivery of goods (ghost projects), asking the poor or employees to sign blank vouchers, payroll padding, etc.
• Misuse and abuse also refer to power, authority and influence.
• Corruption is very rampant in all levels of government. Primarily committed by government officials, employees of government also commit corruption.
• Corruption is also prevalent in the private sector, even at home.
• Some respondents said that even in media there is corruption manifested by what is popularly referred to as “envelopmental” journalism, ATM journalism, AC-DC (attack and collect, defend and collect), being part of a “payroll” of one official, or “favors” in exchange for positions in government for the media person himself or herself or even his/her relatives.
• Corruption has affected delivery of basic needs of Filipinos.
• It is described as “social cancer” which has spread in society. 

B. Examples of corruption and how these are being addressed/resolved

In Northern Samar

The ISOG Han Samar, a group of concerned individuals from non-government organizations, church (including then Bishop Palma of the Diocese of Calbayog), business and media met to discuss a Commission on Audit (COA) report that the province could not account for PhP 84 million (USD 1.8 million). The ISOG filed an administrative case against the governor and other officials and then held a rally at the provincial capitol in Catbalogan where an indignation mass and protest march were also held. Several people who were not members of ISOG later joined the rally.

The administrative case reached the Sandiganbayan which ordered the 90-day suspension of the governor, members of the provincial board, the budget officer, and several others. A criminal case was also filed but has not prospered to date. ISOG had to seek free legal assistance from Manila as there was none available in Samar.

A second case against the governor was filed by the vice governor for allegedly disbursing PhP 104 million (USD 2.3 million) without the approval of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (Provincial Board). The court ordered the governor to return the money but has not yet done so.

Provincial employees also recently rallied at the provincial capitol to claim their bonuses and other privileges that they said have not been released by the governor. They also learned that their GSIS contributions were not being remitted by the LGU.

In North Cotabato

• In 2004 the Kutabateno Alang sa Maayong Panggobyerno (KALAMPAG), or Cotabatenos for Good Governance, was formed. It is a group of multi-sectoral organizations/individuals against abusive government officials in Cotabato province. The then governor filed a libel case against four member-conveners of KALAMPAG after the group staged a prayer rally denouncing malfeasance in the provincial LGU. The four conveners were arrested and jailed but local citizens started a campaign they called Piso Para sa Kaubang Piniriso (Peso for Jailed Comrades) to raise bail money. The Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) and the Union of People’s Lawyers for Mindanao (UPLM) provided free legal service. One of the volunteer lawyers was Connie Brizuela who was among those murdered in Ampatuan, Maguindanao last November 23.
• FGD respondents also talked about a COA report detailing several transactions made by the governor such as a piece of land bought by the LGU worth PhP 17 million (USD 377,777) but with no title, asphalt plant (no title), and residential lots (no title).
• Some PhP 11 million (USD 244,444) worth of daily collections from rental of sidewalk vendors were allegedly unaccounted for. Transactions are not properly recorded as only temporary receipts on pieces of paper were issued. These were reported on radio and the culprits, later identified as city hall employees, admitted to the wrongdoing, asked for forgiveness and returned the money. The city government through the office of the mayor filed an administrative case only against the erring employees who were subsequently suspended.
• Entry of AJMR banana plantation in the province without public consultations. KALAMPAG alleges that barangay, municipal and provincial LGUs received commissions. It said the people are now experiencing the ill effects of pesticide spraying in the plantation.

C. How corruption is being addressed/resolved in the province/city

• Responses from across the three sectors from the two provinces indicate that corruption is being addressed to some degree. Often only administrative cases have been filed against erring officials in both provinces.
• In Samar, CSO networks such as the ISOG Han Samar Movement were more active in leading anti-corruption efforts as compared to the media.
• In Kidapawan, North Cotabato, radio has been cited as an effective medium in reporting corruption and galvanizing citizen action. Respondents said: “If media tackles the issue, cases are filed.” But CSOs also are crucial in providing information and updates to the media.

D. Roles in addressing corruption (roles of each sector and perceptions of other groups/sector)

On the Role of Media

In both provinces, respondents said the media’s role is to inform the public, to expose the corruption issue after this has been reported (“sinumbong”) to them by concerned and “in the know” citizens.

In Samar

• The CSO/citizens respondents validate this but say some journalists are fearful of reporting or do not report because of money considerations.
• Local government respondents perceive media’s role as informing for the purpose of creating/influencing opinion.
• About three media respondents out of 10 have gone beyond their basic role of reporting, being members of advocacy groups, as validated by the other sectors: But these people have not sustained their corruption reportage.

In North Cotabato particularly in Kidapawan City

• The local government and the CSO-citizens respondents further qualified the role of media as “watchdog” (to report anomalies) using “proper reporting” in the form of balanced, deeper analysis, “finding the truth,” giving updates and for the purpose of encouraging people to act or react.
• Radio in Kidapawan plays more effective roles in addressing corruption than in Samar. Some cited indicators -- sniffing around for, and validating, the news; listeners know they can “text” or phone in to report, to ask questions, to react, to sustain the news until results are achieved.
• Radio broadcasters (particularly dxCA Charm Radio) are known to be fearless and credible, as noted by CSOs. The local government is “encouraged” to cooperate in providing information or clarification once a corruption issue is reported by Charm Radio. Some media practitioners are also perceived to be “on the take” but apparently these are block timers, according to journalists who have regular programs or by-lines.

On the Role of Local Governments

LGU respondents from both provinces perceive themselves as not being able to fulfil their role to be transparent in all transactions, to be watchful of wrongdoing, or to enforce the law.

The other sectors say local government is not transparent e.g. information is not accessible, and has not addressed corruption issues even when these have been already reported by the media.

On the Role of the CSOs and Citizens at Large

The CSO-citizens perceive their present role as vanguards of public interest or watchdogs (nagbabantay) of government performance. They see their function as gathering information and reporting anomalies; participating in civic discussions; and following up on alleged corruption reports.

These roles were well illustrated during the FGDs in both provinces. The CSOs in Samar are very active—the ISOG Han Samar is one example-- while citizens-at-large are generally passive. Some citizens talk about learning of corruption issues but not necessarily through radio or through print media. A few have joined organized rallies.

On the other hand, CSOs like KALAMPAG in Kidapawan have actively worked with media. Citizens, particularly in Kidapawan, are more vigilant, more aware of current issues, and are able to voice out or demand for services through text messages or phone-in comments or discussions on radio.

E. Level of awareness of the public about corruption issues

In Samar, according to the media and government respondents, the public is considerably aware of corruption issues in their community. CSOs-citizens in fact say that the public is very aware of current issues.

In North Cotabato, the public is generally aware although a third of the CSOs-citizens respondents said the public is only somehow aware.

F. Most effective medium in reporting corruption

• The most effective medium of reporting corruption is the radio, except in Sultan Kudarat where print is the most effective since there are no AM radio stations.
• Strength of radio is its wide reach especially if their signal or frequency is high. Print has limitations considering the production and distribution expense, especially in far-flung communities.
• In Samar, radio is followed by TV and then print. The online news portal www.samarnews.com has been getting many hits or visits, and has received very good feedback from Samarenos outside the Philippines. Unfortunately, many say it has limited reports or stories about corruption.
• In North Cotabato, radio is followed by TV, then print. Only the CSOs-citizens see on-line media as an effective medium.