DAVAO CITY (Mindanao Examiner / June 15, 2013) – The Philippines has taken a step in strengthening further the campaign against corruption in government as part of its commitment to the implementation of the United Nations Convention Against Corruption and the Integrity Management Program.
The Philippines is a signatory to the UNCAC as ratified by the Philippine Senate on November 8, 2006, which stipulates State Obligations to comply with the UN Standards in the areas of prevention, criminalization, international cooperation, asset recovery, and technical assistance and information exchange.
The Office of the President and the Office of the Ombudsman signed a Memorandum of Agreement that aims to strengthen and rationalize government’s initiatives against corruption.
Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr. and Ombudsman Conchita Morales signed the agreement.
“In behalf of the Office of the President, we would like to congratulate the people and organization behind this major initiative for successfully bringing together two important offices in order to strengthen and rationalize government initiatives against corruption to concretize the President’s vision for a government that treads the straight path, or Tuwid na Daan,” Ochoa said after the signing of the accord.
He said the signing of the MOA is one of the many steps the Aquino administration has taken and will continue to take, to make good on the government’s commitment to institutionalize good governance.
Morales described the partnership between the OP and the Ombudsman as “historic” saying that it “further exudes inspiring hope for the Philippines to foster a culture that rejects corruption and embraces the values of integrity, rule of law, sustainable development and inclusive growth.”
Under the agreement, the OP and the OMB shall constitute a Joint Technical Working Group to draft a multi-stakeholder mechanism for implementation and review of the UNCAC as well as a Project Management Committee that will provide overall direction and technical support to the agency implementers to attain a viable integrity management program.
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