Corruption or Integrity?

[ukmac1986]

Integrity is a concept of consistency of actions, values, methods, measures, principles, expectations, and outcomes. In ethics, integrity is regarded as the honesty and truthfulness or accuracy of one's actions.

Corruption entails misusing one’s office for a private gain or unofficial end. It involves both a monetary and non-monetary benefit. Bribery, extortion, influence peddling, nepotism, scams, fraud, ‘grease money’, and opportunism readily spring to mind.


Scenario:

You are a simple government employee, earning minimum wage. You have 8 children, living in a small apartment, 3 of your children will be going to college in a few years, your salary is basically not enough for your family's needs..then someone offers you to create a fake birth certificate or passport for a big amount of money which you can use to start your own small business.. The deal is simple and there is a small or no chance of being caught.

Evil as it may seem, in this scenario i would choose to be corrupt rather than to be a man of integrity. Simply because no matter honest i am with my job, there would still be corrupt people and my integrity wouldnt change a single bit of the system. Everybody is doing it so why wouldnt i? Why would i kill myself working if i can create a piece of paper that would change my way of living? Integrity would not bring food to my plate.. It would make me proud yes..but does it matter sa panahon ngayon? Pipiliin mo bang magutom ang pamilya mo mapatunayan mo lang sa sarili mo na malinis kang tao? Others might say, kaya hindi umuunlad ang pilipinas dahil sa mga taong kurakot..but hey, bigyan mo sila ng chance na maging kurakot, masabi pa kaya nila yan sa sarili nila?

So if given a chance to choose between corruption and integrity? ano ang pipiliin mo?

*wag kalimutang bumoto sa poll*

[pulubi]

This is why I refuse to work for the government. I cannot live on a government employee's salary, and I refuse to compromise my principles and accept gifts or bribes. Those are non-negotiables for me.

The scenario you mentioned reminded me of a question I was asked during an interview: Are you willing to seek employment abroad in a non-law related field? I answered 'Yes, because even lawyers have to eat and feed their family.' Integrity and self-worth cannot put food on the table or send a child to school.

If it were only me, I'd still uphold my principles. But, if my family were involved, such as what you have depicted in your scenario, I'll be corrupt. But this is a worst-case scenario ha, meaning there is no other means of augmenting my income, no longganisa to sell or beauty products to peddle.

[suave]

sabi nga iba ang ayaw magnakaw kesa sa wala lang pagkakataong magnakaw.
lahat ng tao ay may presyo. maaring mas mataas lang ang presyo mo kesa sa iba pero ang sumatotal bibigay ka rin kapag inalok sa presyong gusto mo...

kung nagigipit... kung may pagkakataon....

[samuraiX]

the problem is, and is the same with our current scenario now in pinas is, the small or no chance of being caught, with that kind of scenario, even the ppl who has one child and can afford to get anything, will steal, human nature will always prevail, that is why we have laws to control this greed

now the effect of this even if you have 8 kids and you chose integrity, is the reduction of corruption IF THE GOVT WILL INCREASE THAT CHANCE OF BEING CAUGHT or ppl will be held accountable, is increase of the money used in basic services and infrastructures, just imagine a project worth 1M and with our current SOP or datong rate of maybe 60-70%, if ppl will be afraid to get caught and we can reduce that down to 20-30% can you imagine instead 300k lang ang pupunta sa project biglang 800k

with projects implemented with lesser corruption, gaganda ang infrasturctures for investment to pour in, in effect, more jobs, more purchasing power, more profit for the business, increase in wages, problem solved for the guy with 8 kids, since his salary will increase and his wife will also have a job since there is growth in the business sector

if we choose corruption then dont expect this country will ever experience progress, cause we will always be stuck with the corrupt culture and poverty or hardship is never an excuse

[suave]

This is why I refuse to work for the government. I cannot live on a government employee's salary, and I refuse to compromise my principles and accept gifts or bribes. Those are non-negotiables for me.

The scenario you mentioned reminded me of a question I was asked during an interview: Are you willing to seek employment abroad in a non-law related field? I answered 'Yes, because even lawyers have to eat and feed their family.' Integrity and self-worth cannot put food on the table or send a child to school.

If it were only me, I'd still uphold my principles. But, if my family were involved, such as what you have depicted in your scenario, I'll be corrupt. But this is a worst-case scenario ha, meaning there is no other means of augmenting my income, no longganisa to sell or beauty products to peddle.

^^medyo magulo naman ang sagot ni pareng pulubi... non-negotiable daw pero kapag involved na ang pamilya eh pwede na... hehehe...

pakitama nga tsong, kung mali ako.

[ukmac1986]

poverty and hardship is never an excuse? kung nag hihingalo na sa gutom ang pamilya mo and you cant do anything, can you just tell them magtiis kayo, kapag umasenso na ang bansa natin saka palang tayo kakain at makakapag aral ng kolehiyo? Iisipin mo paba ang pag asenso ng bansa sa kalagayan mo?

Yes its true that if the government will increase the chance of being caught and people will be held accountable etc. etc will make some progress, but that is nearly impossible sa bansa natin as we speak..

So if there is an opportunity to change your way of life by means of corruption, would you rather not take it? Do you think your single act can do something to make this country progress? I bet even if i spend my lifetime working honestly and with integrity, there would still be corruption..if others can do it and get away with it..why wouldnt i do the same?

[holydevil]

i will go for corruption pareng UK.kita mo dito yung mga pulitiko,mayayaman hehehe

[pulubi]

^^medyo magulo naman ang sagot ni pareng pulubi... non-negotiable daw pero kapag involved na ang pamilya eh pwede na... hehehe...

pakitama nga tsong, kung mali ako.

The first sentence, the one where I talk about my non-negotiables, just explains why I do not work for the government. My actual answer to the question can be found on the third paragraph.

The question envisions a situation where a person is pushed against the wall. Where he has to choose between his integrity and his family's survival. Ito yung sagot ko: kung ako lang ang magugutom, I will not compromise my principles. However, if I were to choose between my family and my principles, I will choose my family.

[ukmac1986]

its not that your family will not survive and eventually die in hunger if you choose integrity.. I mean, the scenario is you have a job, but the salary is not enough for them to study in college, eat 3 nutricious meals a day, pay the bills etc etc..

the question is, are you willing to upgrade your way of living by means of corruption? or would you rather choose to have integrity and live in poverty?

[samuraiX]

poverty and hardship is never an excuse? kung nag hihingalo na sa gutom ang pamilya mo and you cant do anything, can you just tell them magtiis kayo, kapag umasenso na ang bansa natin saka palang tayo kakain at makakapag aral ng kolehiyo? Iisipin mo paba ang pag asenso ng bansa sa kalagayan mo?

Yes its true that if the government will increase the chance of being caught and people will be held accountable etc. etc will make some progress, but that is nearly impossible sa bansa natin as we speak..

So if there is an opportunity to change your way of life by means of corruption, would you rather not take it? Do you think your single act can do something to make this country progress? I bet even if i spend my lifetime working honestly and with integrity, there would still be corruption..if others can do it and get away with it..why wouldnt i do the same?

have you ever watched a documentary or a show in abs-cbn or gma where they feature a simple family, simple job with simple needs, with 5 or more kids, some up to a dozen, where their kids are all professional, have you ever saw that story? and you tell me the only CHOICE for govt workers is being corrupt???

some are even just selling in the sides of the streets and yet their children grew up fine with a degree and a job, am i the only one who saw this kind of story in tv?

yung yaya ko dati, merong 4 na anak, all professional with a degree, her work was just, naglabada lang siya, tapos hubby niya driver, kaya natin lahat kung gustohin natin, thats why poverty is never an excuse for corruption

[FreyaLuna]

Perhaps the issue here is the black-and-white nature of the question, that there is the implication that if one chooses one side, they automatically eschew the other. In reality, there are several degrees in a situation by which one can uphold one's integrity while adapting to a corrupt work scenario, and vice-versa.

It's true that a person who feels they've been backed into a corner could consider a relatively questionable source of income, especially for their loved ones. It does not necessarily make them corrupt, especially if they understand well that they're only doing it for survival.

Of course there are those who would play the survival card to engage in unethical or downright illegal activities in order to furnish their luxuries. Those persons are more likely to be easily corruptible in nature.

On the flip side, even in the most supposedly upright professions, corruption between colleagues still exists, perhaps only on a lesser scale (or concealed better ) than in fields of ill repute.

The point here is that a person's job isn't necessarily a function of their character. Sometimes, a job is just a job.

(One thing I did notice though, is that corrupt individuals tend to thrive better in a management structure where corruption is rife, and that an integrity-based company tends to reward employees of solid character).

=======

I would reject the offer. I don't consider myself an upright or good person, but engaging in such transactions would make me feel terrible about myself in the long run.

[ukmac1986]

have you ever watched a documentary or a show in abs-cbn or gma where they feature a simple family, simple job with simple needs, with 5 or more kids, some up to a dozen, where their kids are all professional, have you ever saw that story? and you tell me the only CHOICE for govt workers is being corrupt???

some are even just selling in the sides of the streets and yet their children grew up fine with a degree and a job, am i the only one who saw this kind of story in tv?

Of course there are stories about some poor people who worked their way to success..but it doesnt happen to everyone and you know it..success without corruption is indeed possible with hard work and a bit of luck.. but "what if" you belong to the unlucky ones who are in a situation wherein no matter how hard you work, it doesn't seem to be enough for your family? Pipiliin mo magtiis and then what? will that help our nation to progress? Ipagtatayo kaba ng rebulto for your patriotism?

Kung hindi ko tanggapin yung offer, lilipat lang din yun sa ibang tao na makakatulong sa kanya..bat ko papalampasin pa yung pagkakataon?

[bishop]

Integrity is a concept of consistency of actions, values, methods, measures, principles, expectations, and outcomes. In ethics, integrity is regarded as the honesty and truthfulness or accuracy of one's actions.

Corruption entails misusing one’s office for a private gain or unofficial end. It involves both a monetary and non-monetary benefit. Bribery, extortion, influence peddling, nepotism, scams, fraud, ‘grease money’, and opportunism readily spring to mind.


Scenario:

You are a simple government employee, earning minimum wage. You have 8 children, living in a small apartment, 3 of your children will be going to college in a few years, your salary is basically not enough for your family's needs..then someone offers you to create a fake birth certificate or passport for a big amount of money which you can use to start your own small business.. The deal is simple and there is a small or no chance of being caught.

Evil as it may seem, in this scenario i would choose to be corrupt rather than to be a man of integrity. Simply because no matter honest i am with my job, there would still be corrupt people and my integrity wouldnt change a single bit of the system. Everybody is doing it so why wouldnt i? Why would i kill myself working if i can create a piece of paper that would change my way of living? Integrity would not bring food to my plate.. It would make me proud yes..but does it matter sa panahon ngayon? Pipiliin mo bang magutom ang pamilya mo mapatunayan mo lang sa sarili mo na malinis kang tao? Others might say, kaya hindi umuunlad ang pilipinas dahil sa mga taong kurakot..but hey, bigyan mo sila ng chance na maging kurakot, masabi pa kaya nila yan sa sarili nila?

So if given a chance to choose between corruption and integrity? ano ang pipiliin mo?

*wag kalimutang bumoto sa poll*

Mac,

I would rather comment on the premise of the scenario first.

From the very begining of your scenario, we can already see what is wrong with the Filipino mentality and sentiments.

If the father and mother, knew from the very begining that they are in a particular income class, why in the world are they living in excess of that class?

In this case the father knew that he is and would be earning "minimum wage". Then why in the world did he father 8 CHILDREN?

Sa umpisa pa lang mali na.

Integetrity does not begin by not succumbing to temptations. But rather it begins with how you plan to build the foundation of your life.

If the father knew that he is earning minimum wage, and yet go ahead and have 8 children, then he already lacks the basic common sense of LIVING WITHIN YOUR MEANS.

And this lack of common sense will now be his guiding principle in life. So it does not matter anymore if he is earning minimum wage or not. If he gets promoted to Department Head, and be making 10 times his present wages, his principle of LIVING BEYOND HIS MEANS will still be there.

In practice it will something like this:

He is earning 10 pesos, he will spend 20 pesos.

He starts to earn 20 pesos, he will now spend 40 pesos.

When he gets to earn 40 pesos, he will begin to spend 60 pesos.

And so on.

Having this (misguided) principle in his life is what will lead him to corruption, and NOT his "poverty" as you put it.

Let me illustrate futher by using your example:

This same father and husband is earning minimum wage working in Government.

But instead of 8 CHILDREN, he only has ONE.

Do you still think that he needs to be corrupt?

Think about it my friend.

[ukmac1986]

@bishop..being a father of 8 kids is out of the question in this scenario..let's say they are in the middle class and they can support everything they need. then one of them got sick and lost everything na naipon nila.. or they own a small business then na bangkarote or something bad happend that resulted them being poor..

anyways.. my question is, deal or no deal?

[bishop]

@bishop..being a father of 8 kids is out of the question in this scenario..let's say they are in the middle class and they can support everything they need. then one of them got sick and lost everything na naipon nila.. or they own a small business then na bangkarote or something bad happend that resulted them being poor..

anyways.. my question is, deal or no deal?

You just changed the premise of the scenario.

From 'minimum wage' to 'middle class'. From Government employee to owner of a small business.

My answer is this:

Have they exhausted ALL OPTIONS?

An owner of a small business if they go bankrupt can file for Chapter 9 protection from the government.

In the Philippines, in the city where I grew up, I have seen businessmen go bankrupt. They close shop, only to open up a new one a few months later. Its called a BANK LOAN.

All I am saying is that there are still many, many options before one has to resort to corruption.

Integrity means you first exhaust ALL THESE OPTIONS.