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PRESIDENTIAL ANTI-GRAFT COMMISSION (PAGC)

 PRESS RELEASE

December 27, 2006

PAGC ENDS 2006 IN HIGH NOTE WITH RECORD NUMBER OF DISMISSED/ SUSPENDED OFFICIALS

The Presidential Anti-Graft Commission (PAGC) released its listing of top gains for 2006 with substantial increase in the number of 488 processed cases, beefed up investigative arm for speedy resolution of high profile cases, and more rigorous implementation and monitoring of anti-graft programs highlighting the commission’s year-end report.

Based on PAGC’s accomplishment report for 2006, the year is marked by the commission’s establishment of more solid footing as regards the four key areas the anti-corruption drive is focused on which include: prevention, education, deterrence and strategic partnership.  

10 dismissed and 3 suspended officials highlight gains in area of investigation

2006 saw substantial increases in number of resolved cases and corollary to this, more high-ranking officials in high-risk agencies have been suspended and dismissed. This really helped advance one of our primary aims – to make corruption a high-risk, low-reward activity.  

For this year, the Commission has processed a total 488 complaints of which 17% (85 cases) were resolved and forwarded to the Office of the President for final resolution, while 36% (175) are still under investigation. The rest (around 45%) were dismissed outright because they do not fall under the jurisdiction of the commission, were forwarded to the Office of the Ombudsman (some 5%).

To date, the following are included in PAGC’s head count of ordered dismissed/ suspended:

Strengthened investigative arm

PAGC has also created another Special Operations Team tasked to speed up investigation of graft cases and has initially focused on seven (7) government agencies with the most number of personnel charged with graft. Based on records, these agencies are the Bureau of Customs (BOC), Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), Philippine National Police (PNP), Bureau of Immigration (BI), Land Transportation Office (LTO), Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the Department of Education (DepEd). This is on top of the Special Operations Team working on the fertilizer fund probe.   

To date, a total of 22 cases were referred to the special team which is expected to deliver the findings for the final resolution within 90 days. 

Broader IDAP coverage

As for the area of prevention, PAGC was assigned the oversight function over the implementation of the Integrity Development Action Plan (IDAP) which is the national anti-corruption framework of the executive branch anchored on countering corruption through integrity development and good governance. IDAP is now being implemented by a total of 119 agencies from only 39 when it was just newly created in 2004. To ensure its effective implementation and sustainability, PAGC conducts quarterly evaluation of government agencies covered by the program. In the process, this regular monitoring encourages the participating agencies to improve their compliance.  

Trainings, heightened advocacy works

In the area of education, PAGC has initiated, and thorough the assistance of USAID-ROLE, the enrolment of senior officials from 10 government agencies (2 each from DEPED, DENR, DILG, DOH, DPWH, DSWD, BOC, PNP, LRA AND NAPC) in a Graduate Certificate Course In Corruption Prevention. This is to equip them with necessary skills to to effectively and systematically implement doable anti-corruption strategies in their respective agencies.  

As part of its advocacy work, PAGC has also participated extensively in various fora to give talks on anti graft and corruption laws and anti-corruption programs and highlight on what respective stakeholders’ roles are to ensure success in this fight, through the mass media (broadcast and print), visit to offices and attendance to conferences and meetings. 

Engaging citizen, NGO support

For Strategic Partnership, PAGC has also endeavored to enjoin the citizenry in the fight against corruption particularly in the conduct of lifestyle check, PAGC has also forged agreements with the volunteers against crime and corruption (VACC) and fellowship of Christians in Government (FOCIG), and strengthened its ties with the internationally recognized anti-corruption NGO—the Transparency and Accountability Network (TAN) also for effective conduct of LSC. 

“All of these tell us of a fertile ground of governance marked by a growing anticorruption coalition among government agencies and other stakeholders, success in the lifestyle checks and investigation areas resulting to a more effective prosecution towards increased conviction” PAGC Chairman Constancia de Guzman said of the commission’s gains in its anti-corruption drive. 

To support this, no less than Huguette La Belle, Chair of Transparency International-Berlin, has acknowledged the anti-corruption reforms being initiated by GOP, in her meeting with Chairman de Guzman in Jordan early this month. 

“With this year’s tangible gains to build on, the commission looks forward to2007 for a more intensified and extensive war on corruption,” Chairman de Guzman added.

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