Tuesday, January 22, 2008 Fight vs. corruption intensifies By Malou M. Mozo Sun.Star Staff Reporter
THE Philippine government’s continued efforts to curb corruption among its officials are crucial to win back the confidence of many foreign investors, an industry official said.
James King, Millennium Challenge Account-Philippines Threshold Program Technical Assistance Project (MCA-PTP TAP) deputy chief of party, said that while Cebu and the rest of the country have the potential to grow its business community, corruption issues—especially those involving revenue officers—have hampered the growth of investor confidence.
He said reports that tagged the Philippines as among the most corrupt countries in the world have greatly affected, among others, the decision of many foreign investors to set up their businesses here.
This is why, King said, he lauded the establishment of the Department of Finance’s (DOF) Revenue Integrity Protection Services (RIPS) pilot office in Mandaue City yesterday.
Inauguration
“It is very significant in the government’s bid to fight corruption,” he said during a press conference at the Laguna Garden Café following the inauguration of the field office.
Under Executive Order 259, the RIPS is mandated to detect, investigate and prevent corruption in the revenue-generating agencies of government under the DOF.
To intensify its campaign to rid DOF of erring employees, including those of the Bureau of Customs, Bureau of Internal Revenue, and the city and municipal treasurers, posters will be placed in all revenue-generating offices to inform the public that there is now a venue for them to report any suspected violators of the anti-graft and corruption laws, said RIPS executive director Romeo Tomas Jr.
“We encourage the public to report any irregularities coming from our revenue officers,” he said.
Investigate
Tomas clarified that RIPS does not intend to duplicate the work of the Ombudsman nor does it investigate tax evasion.
Instead, what it investigates are charges of corruption that may or may not arise from these crimes.
The pilot office was established with support from the MCA-PTP, an anti-corruption and revenue administration enhancement initiative of the Philippine government.
The program is supported by a two-year $20 million grant provided by the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), a US government-owned corporation and administered by the United States Agency for International Development (USAid).
Gamboa said the USAid grant is in the form of technology transfer, equipment training and seminars, among others.
“Everything is above board… a transparent transfer in technology. We find out what they need and procure them whether it’s for additional computers, training, etcetera,” said King, who is also RIPS senior adviser.
According to the MCA-PTP website, RIPS recently acquired from them five investigation kits which contain electronic and digital equipment to aid RIPS officers in their investigation and surveillance work.
Investigators are then able to present to the Office of the Ombudsman stronger, better-supported corruption cases.
The kits will, more specifically, aid RIPS investigators in collecting, saving and securing documentary, photographic and video evidence, and then draft reports faster while on field.
