By ERWIN ‘AMBO’ DELILAN
HAVE YOU heard about Task Force Kasanag (TFK)? And the name John Chiong (JC)? They ring a bell not just in Bacolod and Negros Occidental but in the entire country.
JC is the founder and sitting president of TFK, a popular anti-corruption group born during the incumbency of then President Rody Duterte.
JC is an anti-graft and corrupt crusader. Not an easy job. This is the very reason why he is famous to many, but “infamous” to some – a reality that JC acknowledges: “We can’t please everyone.”
I do agree. Fighting corruption entails lots of grit and willpower. Or you’ll end up a floating dead sa kangkongan.
But JC, a former capitol employee, is beyond ready in his enormous quest – fight the corrupt! His non-negotiable catchphrase: “No one is above the law!”
NON-STOP PROBLEM
Corruption in the Philippines is a non-stop problem. It started way back during the Spanish colonial period. Bribery, extortion and nepotism are its three basic elements.
I remember one of my professors in the College Law of Xavier University – Ateneo de Cagayan saying: “Corruption in the Philippines is a behavioral consequence of power and greed.”
Now, I understand what my professor meant. Corruption exists in all levels of society in varying degrees. From purok to barangay to town, to city to province, to different government agencies, to military, to police, to the L ower House, to the Senate, to Malacañang!
Corruption certainly harms our economy. And we all suffer!
Knowing and talking to JC, I can feel him. He has an immense desire to put an end to corruption.
Of course, what he dreams of won’t happen overnight.
But he and TFK remain to be a dalangpan of many, especially the oppressed and victims of injustice.
Bacolod and Negros must be thankful that there’s JC and TFK.
JC has chosen to be brave for everyone’s ske.
Huguette Labelle, chair of the International Anti-Corruption Conference (IACC), stressed, “Fighting corruption is not an end itself. But a fight for social justice, peace and security.”/PN
