President Duterte orders inquiry into allegations of corruption in government
MANILA – To prove his seriousness in going after corrupt officials in government, President Rodrigo Duterte signed a Memorandum in furtherance of an earlier instruction addressed to Justice Secretary Menardo I. Guevarra last August 7,2020 after reports of corruption at the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, yesterday (October 27,2020) which directed the Department of Justice to investigate allegations of corruption in the “entire government.”
President Duterte said the DOJ shall have the authority to decide which allegations to investigate after considering the gravity of the reports and impact on the delivery of government services. It also has the authority to create panels to investigate and invite and or direct other bodies and agencies of government to help or be part of such panel.
The DOJ shall prosecute and file the necessary charges against everyone involved in the anomalies investigated regardless whether they are government or private persons, “as may be warranted by the evidence gathered, subject to applicable laws and rules.”
It further said the power and authority of the Department of Justice under existing laws and previous presidential directives to investigate the commission of crimes and prosecute violators shall not in any way be diminished by the most recent directive which will remain in effect until noon of June 30,2020 “unless sooner lifted or revoked.” (Melo M. Acuña)
Comments