Ombudsman vows reforms vs corruption

MANILA, Philippines – Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez vowed yesterday to pursue anti-corruption reforms and thanked the United States government for the Philippines’ selection by the Millennium Challenge Corp. for an MCC compact.

The MCC Board of Directors announced the decision yesterday at the conclusion of its March board meeting.

“Congratulations to the Government of the Philippines for its demonstrated commitment to tackling difficult challenges and improving the lives of its people,” said a statement from MCC CEO Ambassador John Danilovich.

Gutierrez led the Philippine team that went to Washington to brief MCC officials on the corruption situation in the country for the past two years.

Aside from Gutierrez, the Philippine Delegation was comprised of Secretary Ricardo Saludo, Budget Secretary Rolando Andaya, Civil Service Commissioner Cesar Buenaflor, Anti-Money Laundering Council Executive Director Vicente Aquino and Supreme Court Deputy Court Administrator Justice Ruben dela Cruz.

During the presentation, Ombudsman Gutierrez informed MCC that the Office of the Ombudsman’s conviction rate at the Sandiganbayan rose from 19 percent in 2006 to 56 percent in 2007.

The Sandiganbayan has penalized almost 1,200 public officials for administrative and disciplinary offenses from 2004 to 2006, she added.

On the other hand, the CSC reported that it has penalized officials administratively charged in 264 cases from 2004-2007.

The Presidential Commission on Good Government has reported the recovery of a total of $854-billion Marcos Swiss deposits, over $1.4 billion of which have been remitted to the government.

The Sandiganbayan has issued forfeiture orders involving $13.4 million in 2007; the AMLC froze $13.46 million and forfeited $439,024 from corruption-related activities.

The Commission on Audit has disallowed transactions amounting to $91.27 million, suspended payments totaling $539.02 million and charged public officials for fraudulent transactions amounting to $2.88 million.

The CSC also tightened rules on asset disclosure for more effective asset investigation and forfeiture, while the Judiciary introduced reforms to ensure that corruption will not attend its procedures.