Daily Tribune (Philippines)

One with the world

Weeding out corruption a government priority, says Andanar

- By Francis T. Wakefield @tribunephl_FTW

The necessary mechanisms are constantly being put in place by this administra­tion to curb it as allowing even the littlest act of corruption begets larger and bigger acts

Malacañang on Monday said the Duterte Administra­tion is one with the internatio­nal community in raising awareness against corruption, in all of its forms, as the world commemorat­ed Internatio­nal AntiCorrup­tion Day Monday, 9 December. Presidenti­al Communicat­ions Secretary Martin Andanar said since the administra­tion started in 1 July, 2016, it has cracked down on corruption in the country. Andanar said from the national level and local government­s to public-private engagement­s, stringent scrutiny against anomalous transactio­ns and acts of collusion that cheat the public have been and will continue to be undertaken. “Weeding out corruption in the government and in our society is an utmost priority of the Duterte Administra­tion in order for our country to progress and succeed,” Andanar said in s statement. “The necessary mechanisms are constantly being put in place by this administra­tion to curb it as allowing even the littlest act of

Filed by Go on July this year, SB 391, originally known as the “Magna Carta for Barangays Act of 2019”, is a consolidat­ed version of all other related bills filed in the Senate which aim to provide barangay officials additional compensati­on similarly accorded to a regular government employee.

The proposed measure also seeks to give officials additional benefits to promote their welfare for the leadership and service they render to their respective communitie­s.

For the succeeding years, the DILG, in consultati­on with the DBM shall study and propose measures for the provision of social assistance to qualified barangay officials and functionar­ies, as well as identify funding sources against which said social assistance may be charged. corruption begets larger and bigger acts which then become the norm,” he added.

The Palace official said among the administra­tion’s anti-corruption initiative­s include the creation of the Presidenti­al Anti-Corruption Commission, a body created by the President to eliminate all forms of corruption and red tape in the Executive Department. There is also the Freedom of Informatio­n Act, which encourages transparen­cy through the policy of the people’s rights to get full disclosure on transactio­ns involving public interest.

“We also have the Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery Act of 2018 which enhanced the previous Anti-Red Tape Law. Changes

made to the Law include embassies and consulate offices among those covered by the law; zero-contact policy between officials or employees and requesting parties; more accountabi­lity for officers receiving documents, and shorter processing times for transactio­ns,” Andanar said.

“We are doing these initiative­s because corruption if left unchecked, breeds a looming, degenerati­ve, and abusive culture of bribery, extortion, and embezzleme­nt without any consequenc­e. And if it is allowed to go on, it will oppress people’s freedoms, rights, lives, properties, and their future,” he added.

Andanar said the Duterte administra­tion is in agreement with the United Nations, in advocating for a fair and just society that is free from corruption as they strive to promote the welfare and developmen­t

of every Filipino.

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