Philippines DOJ Launches National Anti-Corruption

Philippines DOJ Launches National Anti-Corruption | Daily Tribune

“Today we have the launching of the development of our National Anti-Corruption Strategy. This is a commitment born by our United Nations Convention against Corruption, which is a treaty that we acceded to, and now we are implementing our duty to come up with a national anti-corruption strategy,” Andres said.

The strategy will be anchored on integrity, accountability, and transparency, adopting a whole-of-government approach that involves various institutions and sectors.

It will be guided by five pillars under the UNCAC: preventive measures; criminalization and law enforcement; technical assistance and information sharing; international cooperation; and asset recovery.

“This is the whole spectrum of strategies that we need to craft for the government,” Andres said.

He explained that the initiative would not be limited to government agencies. Civil society organizations, the private sector, and the academe will also participate in consultations and focus group discussions to help shape the final strategy.

The framework’s development will be supported by the University of the Philippines National College of Public Administration and Governance, which will assist in consolidating stakeholder inputs.

Andres stressed that the strategy is intended to become an actionable government plan rather than a mere statement of commitment.

“It is not just mere declarations, but a specific plan of action on how to address corruption,” he said.

One proposed measure is for government agencies to institutionalize their own anti-corruption planning by identifying vulnerabilities within their operations.

Andres compared the planned approach to existing government planning mechanisms, noting that agencies already prepare strategic plans for programs and priorities but need a similar process focused on corruption risks.

“If there is strategic planning for our goals and strategic planning for our gender and development priorities, there will also be strategic planning specifically for anti-corruption vulnerabilities,” he said.

According to Andres, agencies are in the best position to identify weaknesses in their systems, while the national strategy will provide the overall framework to guide reforms.

The government aims to complete the strategy within the year, with consultations expected to begin immediately.

“Definitely this is due yesterday. Our timeline is really as soon as possible. We believe that we can complete this within the year,” Andres said.

He added that inclusivity would be central to the process, as the government wants the strategy to reflect recommendations from groups that have long advocated transparency and accountability.

“When we come up with the strategy that is coming from the grassroots, then there is a greater chance of success because the solution is already coming from the advocates,” Andres said.

The initiative is being led by the Presidential UNCAC Inter-Agency Committee, composed of representatives from key government offices, including the Office of the President, the DOJ, the Department of Budget and Management, the Department of the Interior and Local Government, and other agencies.

The strategy seeks to align existing anti-corruption efforts undertaken by institutions such as the Office of the Ombudsman, DOJ, Civil Service Commission, and Commission on Audit.

“Those are already institutional responses to address corruption. But the need for a National Anti-Corruption Strategy is to align all of the actions of all of these institutions,” Andres said.

On the enforcement side, strengthening investigation and prosecution capabilities will be a major component of the strategy.

“We have to strengthen the capabilities of law enforcement agents on investigation and accountability,” he said.

Andres added that improving the use of forensic tools, including forensic accounting, would help ensure corruption cases are supported by stronger evidence.

“Not only testimonial evidence, but the use of science and even forensic accounting are tools needed to exact accountability,” he said.

He noted that the Philippines has implemented anti-corruption programs since ratifying the UNCAC in 2006, including the Integrity Management Program. However, he said the new strategy would expand the government’s approach beyond prevention alone.

The PNACS is expected to provide a broader framework covering prevention, enforcement, cooperation, and the recovery of assets linked to corruption.