Corruptionary© now off the press

CORRUPTIONARY©, a glossary of corruption-related words, was launched for the media and public on April 7, 2007, 10 – 11:30 a.m. at the Popular Bookstore, T. Morato Ext. corner Timog Avenue, Quezon City.

Said to be the first of its kind in the Philippines, the book is a publication of CenPEG’s Dapat Tapat anti-corruption advocacy. It was based on a research of Political Science students from the University of the Philippines (Manila) under CenPEG’s summer Volunteers Integration Program (VIP). Many of the corruption-related words came from sources in various government agencies and victims of corruption who preferred to remain anonymous.

CORRUPTIONARY© is also part of the University of the Philippines’ (Manila) Centennial Publications in line with the state university’s 100th founding anniversary this year.

Gracing the launch were former Vice President Teofisto Guingona, Engr. Rodolfo “Jun” Lozada, Sr. Mary John Manansan of the Association of Major Religious Superiors of the Philippines (AMRSP), and movie director Carlitos Siguion-Reyna.

Lozada, in a short message, lamented the fact that corruption robs not only public money but also whatever hope for a better future remains among the people. “Hindi lang pala pera, ang nakikita ko pong malalang epekto ng korapsyon sa bansa kundi ang unti-unting pagnanakaw sa pag-asa ng mamamayan, pag-asa ng bayan,” Lozada told an audience of about 50 during the launch.

“Marami na pong mga kababayan natin ang nawawalan na ng pag-asa sa pagsasabi ng katotohanan. Kung sino pa ang nagsasabi ng totoo ito yung patago-tago, ito yung maraming kaso, samantalang ung mga nirereklamo sila ung napopromote,” he also said.

The media launch was opened by National Artist for Literature Bienvenido Lumbera, PhD. Brief remarks were made by Prof. Bernard Karganilla, chair of UP Manila’s Department of Social Sciences and Malaya opinion columnist.

The book was edited by stage director, scriptwriter and independent film director Bonifacio Ilagan. Concept was designed by Evi-ta Jimenez, CenPEG Executive Director; illustration by artist Fidel dela Torre.