#endcorruption

Grabe the feeling! I'm walking through this huge, grand museum hall, surrounded by all these international paintings pero honestly, they don't really move me, di ba? They're just pretty. But then, I reach this massive, dramatic work and everything in the hall just stops. That painting is Juan Luna's The Spoliarium. It doesn't just hang there... it literally grabs your soul and demands your attention. That’s why I stop there every single time.

What makes it so incredibly powerful? It’s the scene itself. You see this huge, dark basement... the spoliarium, where dead and dying gladiators are being dragged off the floor. They are stripped of their armor and their dignity. The light only focuses on their brutal defeat, and in the shadows, you see the indifferent crowd and the women weeping for their loss. It’s an overwhelming visual of human suffering and systemic cruelty. Luna painted ancient Rome pero he was really showing the world the exploitation and oppression faced by the Filipino people. It’s a timeless scream against injustice.

But the reason it feels so relevant and urgent today is because it perfectly captures the entire cycle of betrayal faced by our citizens, especially during disasters like a typhoon. This is why the painting will never be outdated!

We can't just talk about corruption after the flood... we need to see the corruption that causes the flood in the first place. The defeat of those gladiators didn't start in that dark room, it started when the whole system was designed to fail them.

Ganoon din sa Pilipinas. The suffering starts with the missing funds that were budgeted for flood control, the substandard projects and the poor planning that leaves communities completely exposed. These funds are the first spoils taken! The people who fail to plan are the silent executioners. When the typhoon hits, the victims are already set up for failure by the system itself.

Then, the actual tragedy happens. The typhoon victims... our modern-day fallen gladiators, lose everything. And what is the final, cruel act? Hala! The corruption continues by taking the relief goods, stealing the aid money and selling the donated materials for profit. They are stripping the victims of their last hope for survival. The Spoliarium shows us that the powerful will always find a way to exploit the weak, both by setting them up for failure and by profiting from their pain.

One of the biggest issues facing the Criminal Justice System is that of corruption. Corruption in Law Enforcement can be defined as the misuse of the authority given to officers for their own personal gain or pleasure. Corrupt activities normally take the form of bribery, extortion, selling drugs, or receiving stolen goods. Citizens are dependent on the police to uphold the law, and preserve the peace by protecting the community. However, with the continuous cases of corruption, there is an air of doubt and distrust amongst citizens for the police. 

Corruption has been an ongoing plague within the Jamaica Constabulary Force from the very beginning. In a survey conducted by a veteran pollster, Bill Johnson, in early 2019, it was highlighted that it is the belief of the Jamaican citizens that more than half (55%) of the members of the police force are corrupt. Many cases of corruption in the force has been brought forward, however, the most recent case that took the media by storm was that of the senior policeman, amongst other policemen, who was arrested on charges of breaching the Corruption Prevention Act. The first incident was that of the two constables assigned to the Public Safety and Traffic Enforcement Branch who were arrested after allegedly soliciting $6,000 from a motorist who committed a road traffic violation. In the second incident, a report was made against an inspector of police who allegedly disseminated private information concerning the complainant. The inspector then solicited $300,000 from the complainant to have the situation rectified. A report was made, and a sting operation was set up during which $60,000 was allegedly handed over to the policeman, who was subsequently arrested. 

These cases are few of many that highlights how corrupt and unjust many of the people who pledge to serve and protect us really are. Hubert Williams, in his research paper entitled “Core Factors of Police Corruption Across the World”, stated that police corruption is as a result of deficiencies in four major areas, namely, “recruitment, training and promotion; resources, such as salary and equipment; systems of accountability within departments, courts and the law; and cultural traditions that inhibit the development of professional police standards.” 

https://www.unodc.org/documents/treaties/publications/core_factors.pdf

http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/corruption-haunts-police-force-jamaicans-believe-more-than-half-of-jcf-tainted_157127?profile=1606

Observed every year on December 9th, the International Day Against Corruption serves as a global call to action to eliminate corruption in all its forms. Corruption erodes trust, undermines governance, and hinders social and economic progress. It affects all sectors, disproportionately impacting the most vulnerable populations. The day was established by the United Nations Convention Against…

In today's world, it seems like every turn we take, we’re greeted by the grand theatre of politics. It's a show filled with dramatic entrances, scandalous plots, and character arcs that could rival any soap opera. But as captivating as it might seem from a distance, the reality is much more disheartening. Politics has become nothing more than a sick game, and many of us are fed up with the puppet show.

The Illusion of Choice

One of the most frustrating aspects of modern politics is the illusion of choice. We're often presented with two or more candidates who, on the surface, appear to have different agendas and solutions. However, scratch beneath the surface, and you'll find that many of these politicians are backed by the same corporate interests and influenced by similar lobbying groups. It's a rigged game where the players might change, but the puppeteers remain the same.

The Cycle of Scandal and Distraction

Political scandals are now so frequent that they barely make headlines. What should be shocking and unacceptable behaviour has become the norm. Politicians from all sides are involved in corruption, deceit, and hypocrisy. Instead of addressing these issues, the media and political strategists often use them as distractions, keeping the public focused on the sensational rather than the substantial.

Empty Promises and Hollow Victories

Every election cycle, we are bombarded with grand promises of change, prosperity, and progress. But once the elections are over and the dust has settled, these promises often fade into obscurity. Politicians prioritise maintaining their power and catering to their financial backers over delivering on their commitments to the electorate. The cycle continues, leaving the public disillusioned and distrustful.

Polarization and Division

Another sickening aspect of the political game is the deliberate polarisation and division of society. Politicians and their allies use divisive rhetoric to pit one group against another, creating an environment of hostility and mistrust. This strategy ensures that the public remains divided and distracted, making it easier for those in power to push their agendas without facing unified opposition.

The Puppeteers Behind the Curtain

At the heart of this political theatre are the real puppeteers – the wealthy elites and powerful corporations who pull the strings. These entities have the resources to influence policies, manipulate markets, and shape public opinion to serve their interests. While the public is entertained by the puppet show on stage, these shadowy figures continue to amass wealth and power, often at the expense of the common good.

So, what can be done to break free from this sick game? It starts with awareness and education. The public must be informed about the true nature of the political system and the forces at play. From there, it’s about demanding transparency, accountability, and genuine representation. Grassroots movements, community organising, and active participation in the political process can help reclaim power for the people.

We must also seek to bridge the divisions that have been deliberately sown among us. By finding common ground and working together, we can challenge the status quo and push for meaningful change. It’s time to move beyond the puppet show and create a political system that truly serves the people, not the powerful few.

The current state of politics is indeed a sick game, one that many of us are tired of watching. The puppet show has gone on for far too long, and it’s time for a change. By recognising the illusion, rejecting divisive tactics, and demanding accountability, we can start to dismantle the puppet theatre and build a political system that is just, transparent, and truly representative of the people’s will. Who else is sick of the puppet show? It’s time to rise up, reclaim our power, and create the change we desperately need.