GMA revives committee of peers to probe corruption raps vs Cabinet

President Arroyo has formed a three-man panel composed of Cabinet officials that would investigate allegations and charges against their colleagues and make recommendations to her.

Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita issued on April 10 a memorandum to Budget Secretary Rolando Andaya Jr., Socio-Economic Planning Secretary Romulo Neri and Presidential Management Staff (PMS) chief Secretary Cerge Remonde informing them they have been designated as members of the Committee of Peers (COP) upon instructions of Mrs. Arroyo.

"Upon instructions of the President, we hereby designate you as members of the Committee of Peers constituted for the purpose of handling charges filed against Cabinet members and evaluating the substance and merit of the charges and submitting recommendations to the President," Ermita’s memo stated.

Remonde was designated as chairman of the committee while Andaya and Neri would sit as members.

The committee would immediately start its work although there are no charges that have been publicly hurled against any member of the Cabinet.

It was not clear how the panel’s work would affect the task of the Presidential Anti-Graft Commission (PAGC), which has been investigating and dismissing erring public officials. No Cabinet official, however, has been known to have been investigated by the PAGC since the agency has been reluctant to give details of ongoing cases.

The President’s move to form the committee was seen as another effort to combat negative perceptions of corruption in government by some local and international groups. It will be recalled that a recent survey by the Hong Kong-based Political Economic Risk Consultancy (PERC) showed that corruption was worst in the Philippines.

The PERC survey was strongly disputed by the Palace.

During his term, former President Fidel Ramos also formed the COP in 1996 to undertake the same task.

The COP found then Health Secretary Hilarion Ramiro culpable of four counts of graft and corruption involving the purchase of overpriced medicines and medical kits.

Mr. Ramos asked for Ramiro’s resignation after the COP report and refused appeals from the former health chief for reconsideration. – Paolo Romero