DU30 forms anti-corruption body; importers, brokers watched, too

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PRESIDENT Duterte has created the Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC) to probe irregularities, primarily those committed by presidential appointees, in all government agencies.

A tight and closer watch on corruption, the Punisher ordered.

*** The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) likewise placed under tax fraud investigation importers and brokers who were implicated in the recent R6.4-billion “shabu” smuggling as investigated by the Senate.

Here comes anti-tax evasion campaign ala-Al Capone.

***

Duterte said time has come to implement his plan to create a commission that would handle complaints against continuing corruption in the government.

Corruption has to stop, he stressed.

*** The President said that the PACC, created under the Office of the President, will directly assist him in investigating and hearing administrative cases involving graft and corruption.

And presidential appointees are the primary targets, he said.

*** Duterte said in his executive order that the commission will solely dedicate itself to assist the President in lifestyle checks and fact-finding inquiries concerning presidential appointees and other public officers allegedly involved in graft and corrupt practices.

Officials who have committed other high crimes and violated the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees will be targets too, he said.

*** Malacañang noted that a similar anti-graft commission was created by former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo in 2001 but the Presidential Anti-Graft Commission (PAGC) was abolished in 2010 by former President Benigno Aquino III due to “redundancies.”

Different folks, different strokes, as the saying goes.

*** Under Duterte’s order, the PAGC functions which were transferred to the Office of the Deputy Executive Secretary for Legal Affairs (ODESLA) shall be transferred to the new PACC.

The PACC shall have the power, concurrently with the Office of the Ombudsman, to hear, investigate, receive, gather, and evaluate evidence, intelligence reports, and information in administrative cases against all presidential appointees in the Executive Branch occupying the position of assistant regional director, or an equivalent rank, and higher.

*** Duterte said members of the governing board of any instrumentality, regulatory agency, or chartered institution, and directors or officers, appointees, or nominees of the President to government-owned or -controlled corporations are also included.

Beware ,too, fair-haired boys!

***

The EO provides that upon the instructions of the President, the PACC may investigate presidential appointees in the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) whenever he deems it necessary or appropriate.

Military and police top-brasses may also be targeted.

*** The President added the PACC may also conduct lifestyle checks and fact-finding inquiries on acts or omissions of all presidential appointees, including those outside the Executive Branch, “which may be violative of the Constitution, or contrary to law, rules and regulations, and/or constitute serious misconduct tantamount to betrayal of public trust.”

Yes to intensified anti-corruption drive, Mr. President. No more holy stables, no more sacred cows!