[ad_1]
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 28) – The Department of Justice (DOJ) has identified the five priority government agencies that will be investigated by the multi-agency anti-corruption task force.
Both Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra and Undersecretary Emmeline Aglipay-Villar confirmed to CNN Philippines that the working group led by the Department of Justice will investigate the alleged anomalies within the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, Customs Office, the Internal Revenue Office, the Public Department. Works and Highways, and the Property Registration Authority.
“As for the Department of Justice, [these agencies are] confirmed, “Guevarra said in a text message to CNN Philippines.” But the expanded task force, which meets on Friday, may have other agencies in mind. “
Following the order of President Rodrigo Duterte, the DOJ formed a task force in August to investigate alleged corruption within PhilHealth.
On Tuesday, Duterte expanded the task force’s role to include all other government offices harassed by corruption allegations in its investigation.
In addition to the DOJ, the working group is comprised of officials from the Office of the Ombudsman, the Audit Commission, the Civil Service Commission, the Office of the Executive Secretary, the Office of the President, and the Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission.
“The task force will have a core group that will determine which particular accusations of corruption should be prioritized,” Villar told CNN Philippines in an interview. “The basis could be the amount involved or perhaps the extent of the corruption, whether it involves the entire department or not.”
He said separate panels in the core group will determine charges to be brought against officials who make mistakes.
“Once the investigation is complete, then we can archive the cases,” Villar said. “These panels will be able to determine, after conducting the investigation, what particular charges will be filed.”
Duterte has given the task force until June 30, 2022, which is the last day of his term, to root out corruption in government.
CNN Philippines correspondent Anjo Alimario and cross-platform news writer Vince Ferreras contributed to this report.
[ad_2]
