Amid political turmoil and growing public anger, a ray of hope has emerged from an unlikely source: Mayor Benjamin Magalong, who recently stepped down from his position on the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Council (PAOCC). Before leaving, he unveiled a “master plan” that could be the key to ending the corruption that has ingrained itself in the Philippine political system. It’s a system called “blockchain,” a technology that is said to be a game-changer. But is it the miracle cure the Filipino people have been waiting for, or just another “empty promise” in a sea of ​​broken promises?

The news of Mayor Magalong’s resignation has sent a wave of frustration across the country. With Senator Panfilo Lacson stepping down as Blue Ribbon Committee chairman, people feel like anti-corruption efforts are slowly coming to a standstill. The investigation into the billion-peso “irregular” budgets seems to be about to be buried, and greedy politicians are once again escaping the law.

But during a public hearing of the Committee on Science and Technology, Mayor Magalong revealed his legacy: a system that could prevent theft by government “crocodiles.” The system, called blockchain, has been successfully implemented in Baguio and he now believes it could be the answer to corruption nationwide.

So, what is blockchain? Think of it as a chain of blocks of information that are securely and immutably linked together. Each “block” contains a series of transactions, and once added to the “chain,” it cannot be deleted or edited. This means that every government transaction, from budget allocations to contract signings, will be recorded transparently and publicly.

In theory, this would be a perfect system. Every document, every important information of the government would be stored in a digital “library” that everyone could access. The public, journalists, and watchdogs could easily track the money flow and detect any signs of irregularities. There would be no room for “shady transactions” or “ghost contracts.” Everything would be exposed to the light, and corrupt people would have nowhere to hide.

Many developed countries such as Australia and the United States have adopted similar systems. In Australia, the Congressional Document Management System (PDMS) has helped to simplify and automate government processes, while increasing transparency and accountability. Similarly, in the United States, the White House has issued memoranda to promote the transition to electronic records, making it easier for the public to access information and interact with government more effectively.

However, the path from idea to reality is not simple, especially in a country like the Philippines where corruption has become a “chronic disease”. Can a high-tech system really defeat a corrupt “system” that has been built and consolidated for decades?

Experts warn that while blockchain is tamper-proof, it is not completely corruption-proof. Talented hackers, perhaps hired by corrupt politicians, could find ways to delete or alter recorded documents. Furthermore, those with access to the system could deliberately delay the verification of transactions, creating an opportunity to change or delete sensitive details.

There is also the risk that corrupt officials will collude to not upload “sensitive” documents, or upload them under different names to make them harder to find. After all, a system, no matter how sophisticated, is only as good as the integrity of those who operate it.

So, is blockchain the “silver bullet” that can destroy the “monster” of corruption in the Philippines? Or is it just another tool that can be abused by those in power? The answer remains to be seen. But one thing is certain: the fight against corruption in the Philippines is still a long and thorny one. And in this fight, technology may be a useful weapon, but it cannot replace human integrity and determination.