ARTA, PACC sign agreement to fight red tape, corruption in govt

THE Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) and the Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC) signed a memorandum of agreement (MoA) to further bolster their partnership in fighting red tape and corruption in the government.

The MoA, signed on Wednesday, aims to align and integrate both agency’s functions, coordination and cooperation in handling complaints and reports of violations.

“This has been a much-anticipated partnership that puts PACC and ARTA at the forefront of President [Duterte’s] war against corruption,” said PACC Chairman Greco Belgica.

“This agreement is a big step forward in developing and strengthening the anticorruption campaign of the President and in achieving the administration’s goal of ensuring transparency and accountability in the government,” he added.

ARTA Director General Jeremiah Belgica, meanwhile, said the two agencies should unite to address corruption and red tape.

“Red tape and corruption. These are related. Because of red tape, lines are long, processes are slow and there are opportunities for corruption,” said Belgica.

ARTA and PACC are expected to endorse cases to one another if they fall under their jurisdiction.

Cases to be referred to PACC are violations committed by the covered presidential appointees against Republic Act 3019, or the “Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act,” as amended; Republic Act 1379 on the unlawful acquisition of property by a public officer or employee; and Republic Act 6713, or the “Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees,” among others.

ARTA will take cases on violations of Republic Act 11032, or the “Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery Act,” committed by any public official or employee.

They can also hold a joint audit or investigation on complaints raised before their offices provided they arise “from a common act or omission, incident, or case.”