The Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC), along with other state departments and offices, on Wednesday signed a manifesto of support to further boost the efforts of President Rodrigo Duterte and his administration to put an end to corruption in government.
The manifesto of support was signed during the launching of the PACC’s anti-corruption campaign held at Malacañan’s Presidential Museum and Library in Manila.
Among those who signed the manifesto are PACC Commissioner Grego Belgica, Sen. Christopher Lawrence Go, Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III, Philippine National Police (PNP) officer-in-charge, Lt. Gen. Archie Gamboa, and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority Director General Isidro Lapeña.
Other signatories include Court Administrator Justice Midas Marquez, Department Local Government Undersecretary Epimaco Densing III, and Pasay Mayor Imelda Caliato-Rubiano.
Government offices, according to the manifesto, are mandated to “free themselves from corruption activities, combat corruption in their own districts and offices, cooperate with the government in combatting corruption, remain loyal to their oaths of office, and inform the government through the PACC of all corrupt activities that come to their knowledge.”
Failure of the signatories to comply with the manifesto would mean their “voluntary” resignation from their respective offices, the manifesto further states.
In a keynote speech, Belgica said the signing of manifesto was in line with Duterte’s vow to rid the government of irregularities.
“Of course, now with the PACC, it goes through due process and investigation. But to further our resolve in combating corruption and getting information, the fight against corruption is heavily dependent on information,” he said.
‘Katarungan desks’ installed
To step up the administration’s anti-corruption drive, the signatories of the manifesto are also directed to set up a “Katarungan (justice) desk,” a one-stop assistance center that will accommodate Filipinos’ complaints against graft-ridden government agencies.
Belgica said the Katarungan desk will serve as a “responsive and safe” platform for reporting all kinds of complaints regarding corruption in government.
“Combating corruption should go together with combating injustice. How do we fight injustice such as corruption and oppression? One, we develop a responsive and safe reporting platform, among others. [It will be accomplished by] introducing the Katarungan desk,” he said.
“The Katarungan desks will have ‘dulugan’ (report) forms. ‘Yun po ang form na puwede nilang i-hulog sa ating drop box na ilalagay sa mga government offices, mga barangays, city halls (They can place the form in the drop box that will be installed in government offices, villages, and city halls),” Belgica added.
Belgica said the PACC would train the PNP personnel who will be assigned to man the Katarungan desks.
He added the PACC would submit a weekly report to Duterte and to Congress, in an effort to “further the President’s advocacy against corruption.”
Go, who also delivered a speech during the event, assured the public that the administration would work harder in fighting corruption in government.
“From the very beginning, the President has said it loud and clear that he will wage a relentless war against three major ills of our society — illegal drugs, criminality, and corruption. So far, great strides have been made. Filipinos now feel so much safer on our streets and services in government offices have become so much faster and better,” he said.
“But we must not be complacent. We must be more vigilant, dedicated, and proactive than ever,” the senator added. (PNA)
