Transparently non-transparent

Filipinos seem to hate questioning the authorities, says the writer. — AFP

FILIPINOS seem to have a high tolerance for corruption, even if perhaps not by choice. A big factor in this is our unwillingness to question things. We see questions as attacks or signs of disrespect.

There is an illogic here in that to respect something, you must not question it. A child that questions is “pasaway” (stubborn or naughty). A citizen that questions is subversive and ungrateful to its government. A government official that questions gets fired.