The Philippine experience showed that ruling groups, at their will, can reduce
accountability deliberately by declaring
certain areas of decision making off limits to scrutiny and intervention. Hence, it is
necessary that mechanisms towards reducing
opportunities for monopoly of power are in place such that any actions that may
undermine accountability are preempted and disciplined. Ex-ante or preventive
strategies should be the core element of
reform. Moreover, the Philippine experience established that corruption is connected with the quality of leadership of the country. One of the root causes of corruption is extreme personalism in Philippine politics and the winner-take all system of elections. Policies that will neutralize this system should be enacted and anti-corruption efforts should be centred towards political reform and
democratization.