SC: Anti-graft body can’t be created without Congress approval

MANILA, Philippines - A glitch hinders the creation of an anti-corruption body for former senator Panfilo Lacson, based on a Supreme Court (SC) ruling declaring as unconstitutional the creation of a Truth Commission in 2010.

Malacañang said the SC held in 2011 that President Aquino cannot create a new and separate office without congressional approval. 

“It has to be through the legislative route,” a very reliable source said. “If Lacson really wants to lead an anti-corruption body, then he will either be working directly under Aquino or Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr.”

Ochoa heads the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Task Force.

Malacañang lawyers are having a hard time fine-tuning the draft executive order that Lacson had submitted.

Among the issues in question are the granting of police powers to the proposed Presidential Commission Against Corruption and the scope of its jurisdiction.

Malacañang is very cautious about crafting and reviewing the executive order to create the Presidential Commission Against Corruption.