Open Secret

I think that instead of ganging up on Word Bank officials, our politicians should work with the World Bank in re-investigating the allegations of rigging and collusion among contractors, rather than forcing and browbeating the multilateral agency to open up its investigation proceedings leading to the blacklisting of several Filipino corrupt contractors.

I mean really, rigging bidding contracts and collusion among the bidders and the DPWH is an open secret. The WB simply underscored what everybody else knows already.

There are economic costs to displeasing the World Bank. People, the agency finances development assistance projects in the country. We borrow from them. Instead of thanking them for exposing the all-too-familiar corruption in road projects, we are pointing an accusing finger at them for wounding our pride. What pride? That government agencies like the DPWH, several top government officials and oh my gad, the First Gentleman (again!) were out to make a fast buck from the transaction, right under the noses of the World Bank officials? That the Finance department and the Ombudsman knew of this report for several years already and just sat on it? The World Bank could easily postpone, cancel and withhold all future development assistance for the country.