Two PH presidents included in world's ten most corrupt leaders list

Two former Presidents of the Republic of the Philippines have been part of the list of the world's ten most corrupt leaders, citing Transparency International Global Corruption Report 2004.

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Overthrown dictator Ferdinand Marcos and impeached Joseph "Erap" Estrada were named two of the most corrupt in over two decades of presidential history. During his extended term, Marcos allegedly looted money amounting to 5-10 billion US dollars or at least P200 billion, placing him second next to Indonesia's Mohamed Suharto who stole at least three (3) times larger than what Marcos embezzled.

To access full report by Transparency International, proceed here.

Meanwhile, former President Estrada ranked 10th allegedly having taken away 78 to 80 million US dollars or at least P3 billion in public funds. Estrada has again engaged into politics by rivaling incumbent Mayor Alfredo Lim for the chairmanship of the Manila City government.

The list did not include presidential-successor-to-Estrada, Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, whose administration's image has been tainted with a lot of public fund misuse, scams, and other scandals. Some notable ones  during her term include the NBN ZTE scandal, the "Hello Garci" wiretap scandal, the North Rail Project, Fertilizer scam, corruption in various branches under the regime, among others.

World Perception

The Philippines has experienced a high jump in Corruption Perceptions Index from rank 141 (with 2.3 index points) in 2008 to rank 105 (with 34 index points) in 2012 out of 180+ nations monitored, but a great degree of challenge remains still for the democratic country to take itself up a higher level and sustain an inclusive economic growth that trickles down the lowest sectors of PH society.

Last year, Finland was the world's perceptively least corrupt nation with a CPI of 90.

In Southeast Asia, Singapore is least corrupt with CPI of 87, ranking 5th overall. It is noticeable that the world's second biggest economy China has a higher CPI of 37 compared to that of the Philippines. The world's most corrupt nations in 2012 are North Korea, Afghanistan, and Somalia. Most African nations have very low CPI.