Understanding Good Governance

Good Governance

• Encompasses the management of a state's resources.
• Is the exercise of processes, mechanisms, and institutions.
• Dictates the manner in which government authorities wield their power.

Good Governance Defined

• Is an efficient and accountable institution.
• Includes judicial, executive, administrative, economic, and corporate components.
• Encompasses entrenched rules protecting human rights and respecting the rule of law.
• Ensures citizen participation and consideration.

Manasan and Gaffud (1999) on Governance

• Governments are not merely about conducting business within their own sphere.
• It describes interactions with civil society.
• It explains how the government encourages and facilitates citizen participation in performance monitoring.

Corporate Governance

• Is the manner in which government officials discharge their responsibilities.

Characteristics of Good Governance

• Government authority is answerable to the public
• Government officials practice participatory governance.
• The public can access information and documents.
• Fairness is present in all decision-making, based on the rule of law.
• Services provided by government officials meet the needs of their constituents and are efficient.

Principles of Good Governance

• Focuses on the organization's purpose and outcomes for citizens and service users.
• Ensures users receive high-quality service.
• Taxpayers receive value for their payments.
• Involves effectively carrying out responsibilities aligned with defined functions and roles.
• Promotes organizational values.
• Good values are expected of government officials, and they serve as good models.
• Requires transparent information relating to decisions and risk management.
• Leaders ensure effective risk management.
• Information is accessible to the public.
• Develops the governing body's capacity and capability to be effective.
• Elected government officials undertake seminars and training to enhance their skills and knowledge.

Graft and Corruption

• According to Ronquillo et al., most scholars find that corruption is more rampant in newly independent states.

Causes of Corruption (Ronquillo et al.)

• Bad examples set by leaders in government.
• Subordinates follow suit if leaders do not set a good example.
• Low and unrealistic salaries for government officials and employees.
• Salaries are often insufficient for basic needs.
• Discrepancy between cultural and legal norms.
• Legal norms are based on rational and universalistic concepts.
• Cultural norms lean toward kinship, friendship, and primary groups.
• Excessive discretionary powers given to government officials.
• Red tape in bureaucracy.
• Complex judicial system hinders prosecuting corrupt public servants.
• Segments of bureaucracy are prone to corruption.

Effects of Graft and Corruption

• Loss of respect for the government.
• Dislocation of national economic planning.
• Wastage of government funds.
• Corruption is passed on to the public as a form of taxation.

Positive Effects of Corruption

• The depressed sector may benefit from employment like nepotism.
• Corruption can provide a supplementary mechanism for investment.
• It may increase the effectiveness level of the bureaucracy.

Preventive Measures Against Graft and Corruption

• Article II, Section 27 states that the state should maintain honesty and integrity in public service.
• Positive measures against graft and corruption should be implemented.
• Ombudsman handles complaints against public officials or government employees.
• The Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards should be observed.

Anti-Money Laundering Act of 2001

• The State protects bank account integrity and confidentiality.
• The Philippines should not be used for money laundering from unlawful activities.
• It investigates money laundering and financial crimes.
• Protects financial institutions.
• Deters criminals from using the Philippines for money laundering.

Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN)

• Is an annual document for all government workers in the Philippines.
• Requires complete submission attesting under oath to total assets and liabilities, including businesses and financial interests.
• Includes listing the assets and liabilities of the official, spouse, and unmarried children under 18.
• Property must be listed with details like description, kind, location, year and mode of acquisition, assessed value, acquisition cost etc.
• "Co-mingled" assets must also be listed.
• Gifts, donations, inheritances, or other properties received at no cost must be listed at fair market value and assessed value.
• Required by law under Article XI, Section 17 of the Philippine Constitution and Section 8 of Republic Act No. 6713.
• Must be submitted upon assuming office and annually before April 30.
• SALNs must be available for public inspection and copying for ten years after filing.
• Officials or political opponents use SALNs to identify "unexplained wealth".
• Unexplained wealth is wealth that cannot be attributed to a salary, investment or other legal sources.
• Unexplained wealth likely comes from bribes, kickbacks, grease money or other forms of corruption.
• During the trial of Joseph Estrada, the 13th President of the Philippines, for plunder, his SALN played a crucial role.

Unemployment

• Is the percentage of the labor force unemployed at any time.
• Work should be viewed biblically.
• Work is intended for the worker's fulfillment, it is a Biblical concept.
• Work is intended for the benefit of the community.
• Adam was able to provide via cultivating the land.
• Work is intended for the Glory of God.
• This is the highest level of work.

Types of Unemployment

• Frictional Unemployment is caused by workers voluntarily changing jobs and temporary layoffs.
• Structural Unemployment means skills are not demanded by employers.
• Cyclical Unemployment is caused by insufficient total spending.

Causes of Unemployment

• Social security benefits reduce the incentive to work.
• Fixed costs associated with hiring workers.
• Changing industries requiring adaptation to new skills.

Contemporary Problems of Unemployment

• Shock: A feeling of humiliation and blow to self-image.
• Denial: The unemployed person searches for an explanation.
• Frustration: Denial starts to shatter, especially when family needs arise.
• Depression and Pessimism: Anticipation and optimism decrease as job searches continue.
• Despair: After years without work, hopelessness and bitterness set in, leading to demoralization and isolation.
• Resignation: Marked feelings of inferiority and submissiveness arise.

Child Abuse (RA 7610)

• Child Abuse refers to the maltreatment of a child, routinely or otherwise.
• Includes psychological, physical, and sexual abuse, cruelty, neglect, and emotional mistreatment.
• Is any act, word or deed, which debases or demeans intrinsic worth and dignity.
• Deprivation of basic survival needs.
• Neglecting medical treatment which results in impairment of growth or death.
• Sexual Abuse involves sexual acts between an adult and a minor, or between two minors with one exerting power.
• Encompasses using a child for sexual acts, molestation, prostitution, or incest.
• Battered Child Syndrome refers to child abuse and neglect.
• Neglect involves deprivation of basic needs such as food, shelter, clothing, education, and medical care.
• Child labor involves children under 18 being employed in public or private establishments.

Forms of Child Abuse

• Physical abuse involves any act resulting in non-accidental physical injury.
• Psychological abuse is any harm to emotional or intellectual functioning through verbal assault.
• Deception deprives children of proper learning by providing incorrect ideas and concepts.
• Child trafficking is the act of trading and dealing with children.

Abusers and Neglecters

• Special Parent: A parent who may have been abused in childhood, emotionally immature, lacking self-esteem.
• They considers the child as "someone to love me and never leave me."
• Special Child: Viewed differently, could be physically handicapped or perceived with special meaning, such as from a former marriage.

Characteristics of Abusive Parents

• Inadequate parenting skills and lack of knowledge of normal child development.
• Emotional immaturity with poor impulse control.
• Social isolation, especially from community resources.
• Often come from families with violent parents.

Helping a Child Cope with Abuse

• Provide support and belief through significant adults.
• Stay calm when helping a child cope with abuse.
• Do not blame the child.
• A child’s internal coping resources are impacted by serious life stressors such as physical abuse and domestic violence.
• A child’s developmental level, age, and gender influence the effect of sexual behavior.
• A child who is abused by someone they trust has a type of parental relationship with the perpetrator having a more serious effect.
• A child appears to be more seriously affected when physical abuse, treats or intimidation accompany the sexual abuse.

Sexualized Behaviors

• Children sexually abused at an early age are prematurely introduced to sexual acts.
• They experience sexual stimulation and pleasure.
• They are often unable to understand and cope because of their young age.
• They tend to increase interest in sexual matters.
• Their sexual behaviors are a learned response to the perpetrator and sexual abuse acts.

Victims of Sexual Abuse

• Victims appear to have more problem behaviors in the area of sexuality.
• Acting out with peers sexually.
• False or pseudo-mature sexual behavior.
• Confusion on sexual identity and what is appropriate sex between children and adults.