By Dean Aubrey Caratiquet
Malacañang reaffirmed the administration’s sincere intentions as it makes strides in stemming various forms of corruption at the grassroots level.
This, in response to concerns raised by Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor Eli Remolona about the country’s possible return to the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) “gray list,” citing President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s sweeping campaign against government malpractices.
In a briefing on Monday, Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said in response to Remolona’s worries that the administration remains concentrated on enacting sweeping measures to clean the ranks and restore trust in government institutions.
Castro told the media, “Kung may legislation na [nararapat], ito po ay trabaho na po ng ating mga mambabatas. Kung meron pa po silang nakikitang mga kakulangan, sila na po ang maaaring bumalangkas ng anumang bagong batas patungkol po dito.”
She, moreover, underscored the importance of freezing the assets of contractors entrenched in widespread corruption, calling on the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) to conduct motu proprio investigations that will uphold transparency and accountability through the filing of necessary petitions before the Court of Appeals (CA), ensuring compliance with existing laws and regulations.
The Palace mouthpiece concluded in her remarks, “Mayroon na pong mga nakakasuhan at sinabi rin po ng Ombudsman at ng DOJ na patuloy pa rin po ang pag-iimbestiga. Tingin po natin ay nakikita rin ito para mapatunayan ng bansa sa pamumuno po ni Pangulong Marcos Jr. na sinsero po at seryoso ang administrasyong ito na puksain ang korapsyon.”
President Marcos Jr. welcomed the exit of the Philippines from the international anti-money laundering watchdog’s “gray list” on February 21, 2025, lauding the efforts of individuals and agencies that helped the country improve its internal financial standing.
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