Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 31) — The Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission has identified three government agencies as the most “problematic” based on corruption reports it has been receiving.
During the Laging Handa briefing, PACC chair Greco Belgica said the Department of Public Works and Highways, the Bureau of Internal Revenue, and the Bureau of Customs will be prioritized in their investigations amid the Duterte administration’s fight against corruption.
“If you get into corruption this time, pasensiyahan po tayo (please don’t blame us),” he warned government officials.
In late December, President Rodrigo Duterte read a list submitted by the PACC of nine alleged corrupt incumbent and former House lawmakers and DPWH district engineers, even if the commission admitted it had “no hard evidence” against them. Duterte also ordered the immediate relief of 14 DPWH district engineers.
In November 2020, an anti-corruption task force led by the Department of Justice also said it has received around 60 complaints involving the said departments.
Belgica said other offices that will be looked into are the Department of Health, the Bureau of Immigration, the Department of Agriculture, and local government units through the Department of the Interior and Local Government.
The commissioner also said public officials are encouraged to sign a manifesto against corruption that is part of “Tokhang Laban sa Korapsyon,” a program that aims to eliminate irregularities in government. Belgica said not signing the document would mean a red flag for the officials.
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