By Hilda Austria/Philippine News Agency
LINGAYEN, Pangasinan — The Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC) has urged national government officials in Region 1 (Ilocos) to guard their own people against any form of corruption.
“Police your own ranks. Huwag na ninyong paabutin pa sa inyong mga secretaries (Do not wait for it to reach your secretaries before you act on it). Do not waste your career (because of corruption),” PACC Chairman Dante Jimenez said here Tuesday during a dialogue with regional and provincial heads of national government offices.
“To the police, do not be used by politicians, and to the other national government officials as well,” Jimenez said.
According to the PACC, a delay in providing government services, and substandard quality of work by government agencies, are considered forms of corruption.
“Our purpose here is to explain the mandate of the commission, which turned one-year-old this year. I would like to communicate with you and please do understand our mandate. We are here to help the President, our people and you,” Jimenez told the government officials.
The PACC is a commission under the Office of the President dedicated to provide assistance to President Rodrigo R. Duterte in the investigation and hearing of administrative cases and complaints and in the conduct of lifestyle checks and/or fact-finding inquiries concerning presidential appointees and other public officers allegedly involved in graft and corrupt practices or have committed other high crimes and/or violations of the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees.
The commission’s powers and functions include hearing administrative cases against appointees with Salary Grade 26 and up and co-conspirators; investigate personnel of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and Philippine National Police upon the instruction of the President; conduct lifestyle check and fact-finding inquiries; and enlist support from any law enforcement agency among others.
Jimenez, however, clarified that only those complaints with sufficient form and substance are pursued by the PACC.
“We don’t believe in rumors. We are objective. I believe in due process. I am with you in due process. Trust us,” he told the government officials.
Jimenez added that complaint (documents) against national government officials in the region can be sent to the government hotline 8888, or addressed to President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, Malacañang Palace through Chairman Dante Jimenez, or be coursed through the PACC’s email address (records@pacc.gov.ph) or their telephone number (02-967-7051).
“We are still working on our social media account and possible satellite offices,” he said.
PACC Executive Director Eduardo Bringas said complaints that are sufficient in form and substance will be acted upon by the commission immediately.
“It is better (if) they go directly to our office (Ground Floor Palacio del Gobernador Intramuros in Manila) so our lawyers could assist them in their complaints. After we receive the complaint, we will issue a notice to comply to the concerned government official, which he/she needs to answer within seven days. Then we will require both parties to file their position paper,” Bringas said.
Meanwhile, the PACC will also ask the regional directors who failed to attend the dialogue to explain their absence in writing.
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