VIENNA, Austria – Filipinos in Vienna are concerned with the issue of corruption in the Philippines.
Manny Sarmiento, leader of Pinoy In Austrian Society For Integrity and Social Transformation (PINAS First) told ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau that the group is conducting an in-depth discussion of this topic with the objective of formulating a doable plan of action to counter corruption in the Philippines.
“We have to do something to lessen, if not erase, this notoriety. Stopping corruption is a herculean task. We believe that the government is not in a position to do it alone. There are NGOs (nongovernment organizations) advocating to stop corruption. But each one of us has to do his share,” Sarmiento said.
Sarmiento likewise said that corruption in the Philippines has become "a humanitarian crisis" and scandals increasingly seem to dominate the news.
Nicolaus Reithmayer, an Austrian married to a Filipina and who has been to the Philippines a couple of times, said President Benigno Aquino III appears, despite his personal desire to stop the anomalies, impotent or incapable to stop the people around him.
“PNoy is new in the political world and lack muscles on one-on-one, eye-to-eye charisma to exert pressure. He needs help,” Reithmayer said.
Mia San Jose, a third generation Pinoy in Austria, is very optimistic that there is also a “new breed” of young politicians who have upright ideals and morals.
San Jose further noticed that the expose made in the Congressional investigation into the alleged corruption in the military may just be the tip of the iceberg. She believes that the Filipino people may just be waiting for more startling revelations.