Informants vs. corruption need to name themselves to get reward

Those with information about officials involved in corrupt practices in government may have to identify themselves if they want to be rewarded, Malacañang said Thursday. (Pexels photo)

MANILA – Those with information about officials involved in corrupt practices in government may have to identify themselves if they want to be rewarded, Malacañang said Thursday.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque made the remark after the Office of the President partnered with telecommunications companies to launch the short message service (SMS) or text message of the 8888 Citizens’ Complaint Center (CCC).

The 8888 CCC hotline, first launched in 2016, receives complaints and grievances from the public and in turn endorses these to relevant government departments or agencies for immediate action.

Roque noted that while the launch of the SMS/text message format would allow informants to stay anonymous, those who want to receive a reward would have to make themselves easy to trace.

“Kung mayroon naman talagang basehan at napatunayan nga na dahil sa tip ay nakahuli tayo ng kurakot, iyan po ang importante. Kinakailangan magpadala kayo ng inyong pangalan (If there is basis and it was proven that the tip helped catch a corrupt official, that’s important. You should give your name),” he said in a Palace press briefing.

Roque also assured that the government would not publicize the informants’ names.

“Hindi naman po iri-release iyan ng 8888 – just in case gusto ninyong makolekta ang reward. Eh kung wala po kasing trace kung sino kayo, hindi ninyo makukolekta iyong reward (Your name won’t be released. It’s just in case you want to collect your reward. Without a trace of who you are, you won’t be able to collect your reward),” he added.

Roque said all complaints and grievances aired through the 8888 CCC would be given utmost importance.

“Ang in-charge po sa (The person in charge of) 8888 is no less than the Office of the Executive Secretary. And because the Executive Secretary is primus inter pares in the Cabinet, inaasahan po natin na lahat ng mga complaints na ibabato sa iba’t ibang ahensiya at departamento will be given the highest priority (we expect all complaints that will be sent to different agencies and departments will be given the highest priority),” he said.

On Monday night, President Rodrigo Duterte urged the public to report corruption activities and other anomalies within the government.

Duterte said informants do not need to give out their names.

He previously offered a reward of PHP50,000 or PHP100,000 to anyone who could give him information on government officials engaged in corruption.

The President has vowed to spend the last two years of his term fighting corruption.

He has also formed a mega task force to probe government-wide corruption, particularly the Department of Public Works and Highways.