CHIZ WELCOMES PARTNERSHIP WITH U.S., SLAMS LECTURE
ON CORRUPTION

Opposition Sen. Chiz Escudero yesterday said that while he appreciates the continued US commitment to maintaining a strong partnership with the Philippines, he is disappointed with its seeming desire to act as a global police.

He added that US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton may want to keep her government's views on corruption and good governance to herself the next time she visits the country.

"In her recent visit to the Philippines, Sec. Clinton lectured us about corruption. I don't take it positively whenever a foreigner tells us how to do things," he added.

"This government is corrupt but I don't think a foreigner should lecture us on it," the 40-year-old senator stressed.

In Transparency International's (TI) latest global corruption barometer, the Philippines was ranked 131 among 179 countries, with Denmark, Finland and New Zealand jointly sharing the top spot as the least corrupt countries.

TI is the global civil society organization leading the fight against corruption.

Clinton left the country yesterday after a quick two-day trip where she met with top government officials and reiterated her government's desire to improve ties with Manila.

At the same time, she also expressed Washington's views on a number of issues, including accountability, corruption and transparency in government as well as the absence of the rule of law.