Duterte ‘pleased’ PACC has delivered on its promise

MANILA – President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday said he is pleased by how the Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC) has delivered on its promise to help clean up the bureaucracy.

Duterte made this statement during the virtual celebration of the 3rd anniversary of the PACC.

“I am pleased that since its creation three years ago, the commission has contributed to this administration’s goal of promoting accountability and fighting graft and corruption in the government,” he said in a pre-recorded speech.

He also expressed hope that the agency’s third anniversary would remind public officials and officers about the importance of promoting good governance.

“May this occasion renew our commitment and remind all of us that above our own personal interest, our utmost priority is to uphold integrity, transparency within the bureaucracy. Congratulations on your anniversary,” he added.

Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, in a separate speech, recognized the PACC for assisting the administration in its campaign for good governance and accountability.

“PACC’s accomplishments demonstrate that it is an indispensable office in the Duterte administration’s crusade against graft and corruption,” Medialdea said.

‘Conduit for grievances’

Medialdea said the PACC also served as a “conduit for people’s grievances” amid the prevailing Covid-19 pandemic so requests may be processed by corresponding government agencies.

“In coordination with various government agencies, the PACC assisted fellow citizens in their request for benefits under the Social Amelioration Program and assistance for those afflicted by Covid-19,” he said.

He also remembered the late PACC chairperson Dante Jimenez for his “significant contributions” in Duterte administration’s crusade against graft and corruption.

“Chairperson Jimenez devoted his life to an advocacy against criminality and corruption, as showed to his years of service in the Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption and subsequently the PACC,” he said.

Jimenez, who was appointed by Duterte to head PACC in 2018, died last January due to aortic aneurysm.

“May we all honor his legacy by remaining firm in our campaign against corruption and in our advocacy towards good governance and public accountability,” Medialdea said.

The PACC, which was created under Executive Order No. 43 on Oct. 4, 2017, is the lead agency mandated to eliminate all forms of corruption in the Executive Department in close coordination with various government and law enforcement agencies.

The agency investigates and gathers evidence for referral to the Ombudsman against public officials accused of corruption.

It has established fact-finding investigations on cases, lifestyle checks for government employees and the creation of special investigating panels to curb corruption within the government.