Task force vs. corruption seeks NBI help in case buildups

MANILA – The Department of Justice (DOJ)-led Task Force Against Corruption (TFAC) has referred some complaints it received to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).

Some cases, meanwhile, have been elevated to the Office of the Ombudsman.

“Some major complaints are quietly being investigated by the NBI for case buildup,” DOJ Secretary Menardo Guevarra said, referring to 69 of the 240 complaints received by TFAC.

DOJ Undersecretary Emmeline Villar said out of the 240 complaints, some have duplicate subjects.

“The accurate number of complaints actually filed with the TFAC is down to 180,” she said. “Some are being evaluated by the Complaints Evaluation Committee (CEC). Those which have already been evaluated have been referred to the Assistant Secretaries, to the Undersecretaries, or to the Secretary for review or further action.”

Some cases require the further collection of information from concerned government agencies.

Two complaints were found to be sufficient in form and substance and were endorsed to the Ombudsman – a town’s alleged irregular purchase of land and a congressman and the Department of Public Works and Highways’ alleged bias on certain contractors.

Another complaint evaluated by the CEC has been sent to the National Prosecution Service for preliminary investigation, involving employees with Salary Grade 27 (about PHP126,000) and lower.