Graft probers to train on forensic accounting

MANILA, Philippines — Anti-graft investigators are slated to undergo a specialized training on forensic accounting and asset tracing following bilateral talks between Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).

Remulla said he secured the capacity-building program recently on the sidelines of the 7th Global Conference on Sustainable Development Goals at the UN headquarters, where he met with UNODC anti-corruption officer Jonathan Bourguignon.

Bourguignon specializes in economic crime, illicit financial flows and addressing corruption in fragile settings.

“We have formally asked the UNODC to share its expertise in forensic accounting, now that we have hired many accountants. We want to create experts in this field within the office,” Remulla said.

The upcoming technical assistance will target gaps in the government’s ability to investigate illegal financial flows and prosecute complex economic crimes. 

Aside from forensic accounting, the collaboration will train ombudsman personnel in financial investigations and recovery of stolen assets hidden across international jurisdictions.

According to Remulla, upgrading the ombudsman’s technical skillset is a necessary response to the evolving, cross-border nature of modern graft.

“Corruption is a global issue. Corrupt officials leverage international resources. That is why the collaboration with the UNODC helps us close these gaps. The goal is to connect the Philippines to the world to shrink it for corrupt actors,” Remulla said.