PRESIDENT Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has ordered the abolition of the Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC) and the Office of the Cabinet Secretary amid the bid to streamline official processes and procedures in the Office of the President.
The order is contained in Marcos’ first Executive Order (EO), which he signed on June 30, 2022 but was released only on Thursday, July 7.
Marcos said the administration aims to achieve a comprehensive and meaningful recovery from current health and fiscal crises through a just allocation of resources and a simplified internal management.
“In order to achieve simplicity, economy and efficiency in the bureaucracy without effecting disruptions in internal management and general governance, the Administration shall streamline official processes and procedures by reorganizing the Office of the President proper and the various attached agencies and offices, and by abolishing duplicated and overlapping official functions,” read the EO.
The powers and functions of the PACC will be transferred to the Office of the Deputy Executive Secretary for legal affairs, which shall promulgate rules of procedures in administrative cases under its jurisdiction.
The existing rules and procedures of the PACC in administrative cases, however, will remain in force, unless it was repealed or amended.
“The winding up of the operations and disposition of the functions, positions, personnel, assets and labilities of the Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission shall be administered by the Executive Secretary,” the EO stated.
In October 4, 2017, then President Rodrigo Duterte issued EO 43, creating the PACC whose main task is to investigate graft and corruption complaints against presidential appointees in the executive branch.
Meanwhile, the control and supervision of the Cabinet secretariat will be transferred to the Presidential Management Staff.
The Cabinet secretariat, in coordination with the Executive Secretary, will assist the President in establishing agenda and topics for Cabinet deliberations or facilitate the discussion of Cabinet meetings.
“All personnel affected by the abolition of the Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission and the Office of the Cabinet Secretary may be allowed to avail of the benefits provided under existing laws, if applicable,” the EO stated.
“The Department of Budget and Management is hereby ordered to release the corresponding fund as may be warranted, subject to existing Civil service, budgeting, accounting and auditing laws and rules,” it added. (SunStar Philippines)