Moderate Greed is defined as acceptable limits for government corruption. Since stealing from people is systemic and unavoidable in Philippine society, people in the government have come up with a standard wherein corruption can be both beneficial to government officials, and at the same time acceptable to soceity. Common practice tells us that 20+% overpricing of government contracts qualifies as moderate greed.
This definition was given during the Senate hearing on the ZTE-NBN broadband controversy. This is clearly a reflection of the sorry state of the Philippine government. Based on Lozada's testimony, if the ZTE-NBN deal was overpriced only by 65 million dollars, Mr. Lozada himself would not have been there testifying. If only it was just 65 million dollars. That would have been moderate greed.
Acceptable.
When Senator Santiago bombarded Lozada with questions, inquiring into his credibility, it appeared that Lozada, under oath, confessed that he was observing moderate greed. But according to his own analogy, as ZTE-NBN broadband is to the NBA, his own practiced corruption is to high school intramurals. Clearly minor of the minorest leagues.
Still, his decision to testify was admirable. Let's just not get too carried away with his heroism. I wouldn't want to see another Chavit campaigning for election openly giving away money right infront of the camera. What if we just punish him for his unlawful acts based on his own testimony? Moderate greed or not, it's still corruption. If he faces them with head held high and serves his time with pride, then I'll give him a standing ovation.
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