AMID doubt on the administration’s sincerity to thwart corruption comes a statement of the President, reminding government officials to uphold integrity and transparency within the bureaucracy.
In a pre-recorded message culminating the third year anniversary of the Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC), President Rodrigo Duterte enjoined government employees to help him fight graft and corruption.
“I am pleased that since its creation three years ago, the commission has contributed to this administration’s goal of promoting accountability and fighting graft and corruption in the government,” the president said in his message.
“May this occasion renew our commitment and remind all of us that above our own personal interest, our utmost priority is to uphold integrity, transparency within the bureaucracy,” he added.
Established in October 2017, the PACC was given the power to investigate administrative cases against all presidential appointees “occupying the position of assistant regional director or an equivalent rank and higher,” as stated in Duterte’s Executive Order No. 43.
Upon instructions of the president, the body may also “investigate presidential appointees in the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police whenever he deems it necessary or appropriate.”