House OKs bill abolishing PCGG, OGCC

The House of Representatives has approved on second reading a bill that seeks to abolish the Aquino-era Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG) and the Office of the Government Corporate Counsel (OGCC), among other government agencies.

House Bill 7376 or the “Office of the Solicitor General Charter,” principally authored by Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez, also seeks to strengthen the mandate of the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) led by Jose Calida who will then supervise the “consolidation” of the PCGG’s as well as OGCC’s powers and functions into the OSG.

The third and final reading by the House plenary is usually almost a done deal.

Affected personnel of the PCGG and the OGCC will be given the option to avail themselves of the retirement and separation package: retirement gratuity provided under Republic Act 1616, retirement benefit provided under RA 660 and retirement, separation or unemployment benefit provided under RA 8291.

Unfortunately, PCGG and OGCC personnel “will not be absorbed into the new staffing pattern of the OSG due to redundancy or failure to comply with the standard of competence and proficiency.”

HB 7376 provides that the legal representation of the government, its agencies and instrumentalities, including governmentowned and -controlled corporations and officials and agents acting in their official capacity and the powers and functions of the PCGG, will be consolidated with the OSG.

This in effect abolishes the PCGG and the OGCC and their powers shall be transferred to the OSG.

It aims to eliminate the overlapping of functions, to consolidate the legal services in the government into one office and to effectively address the expanding needs of GOCCs toward the improvement of fiscal management and good corporate governance.

The measure likewise intends to concentrate and enhance government efforts for the full and effective recovery of illgotten wealth and properties, including the efficient investigation and prosecution of related cases.

The Alvarez bill provides that the OSG shall be an independent and autonomous office attached to the Office of the President for budgetary purposes.