<P> The concept of the public trust relates back to the origins of democratic government and its seminal idea that within the public lies the true power and future of a society; therefore, whatever trust the public places in its officials must be respected . One of the reasons that bribery is regarded as a notorious evil is that it contributes to a culture of political corruption in which the public trust is eroded . Other issues related to political corruption or betrayal of public trust are lobbying, special interest groups and the public cartel . </P> <P> In the Philippines, "betrayal of public trust" is one of the impeachable offenses . In Francisco, Jr. vs. Nagmamalasakit na mga Manananggol ng mga Manggagawang Pilipino, Inc., the Supreme Court of the Philippines ruled that the definition of "betrayal of public trust" is "a non-justiciable political question which is beyond the scope of its judicial power" under the Constitution . It did not prescribe which branch of government has the power to define it, but implies that Congress, which handles impeachment cases, has the power to do so . </P>

When discussing public trust who is the public