PCOO’s Freedom of Information
asserts support President Duterte’s anti-corruption vow
MANILA – Presidential Communication Operations Office
(PCOO) Secretary Martin Andanar on Wednesday affirmed the commitment of the
Duterte administration in fighting corruption in government, which is supported
by the agency’s Freedom of Information (FOI).
In his daily engagement with provincial media,
Secretary Andanar had the chance to discuss on 103.9 iFM Baguio’s I
sa Umaga program the achievements of the current
administration which are in line with the promises made by President Rodrigo
Roa Duterte.
Anti-corruption
is one of the top agendas of the President that is gaining ground through
various policies implemented by the national government, including the
implementation of the FOI and the Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission
(PACC).
“In terms of
the anti-corruption bid, many oligarchs that were publicly named by the
President were forced to pay their overdue taxes. There were also government
officials and employees that were dismissed for engaging in fraudulent
activities. We are able to support these through the creation of the Freedom of
Information and the strengthened Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission
(PACC).” Secretary Andanar said.
The Executive
Order No. 2 which operationalizes Freedom of Information in the executive
branch was signed by the President on July 23, 2016. This policy has further
promoted transparency as it allows full public disclosure of government
transactions involving public interest.
PCOO serves as
the coordinator of all government agencies to ensure that the FOI Program is
properly implemented. To date there are over 70,000 requests logged in the
e-FOI platform from 530 government agencies across the country, including local
government units (LGUS).
President
Duterte is known for publicly dropping the names of government officials that
are allegedly involved in corruption, even including those who have supported
him in his leadership.
Earlier, he
also warned businesses who still had liabilities with the government, such as
tobacco conglomerate Mighty Corporation which availed of a tax settlement, and
Philippine Airlines (PAL) which also settled its P6-billion unpaid air
navigational charges to the government in 2017. ###
