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MANILA, Philippines – For the representative of Bayan Muna, Carlos Zárate, “little or nothing” will come out of the corruption investigation in the whole government ordered by President Rodrigo Duterte, as he asked if the investigation is “just for show.”
Zarate made the comment after Duterte ordered the Department of Justice (DOJ) to extend its investigation into corruption beyond the mess of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and cover the entire government bureaucracy.
“Little or nothing will come of this, especially since Pres. Duterte himself has a penchant for acquitting his people even before an investigation like the one he did to [Department of Health] Second. Francisco Duque, DPWH Sec. [Mark] Villar, General Debold Sinas and many others before them, ”Zárate said in a statement.
The opposition legislator also questioned why the investigation was handed over to the DOJ and not to the Ombudsman’s Office, which independently monitors the three branches of the State and investigates and prosecutes public officials who are found to be committing crimes such as bribery and corruption.
“Is the Ombudsman’s Office also supposedly to go after corrupt government officials? Why create another body dependent on the executive? “Zarate said.
Now, what happens when the Ombudsman and DOJ reach opposite conclusions in their investigation of the same agency? Is Malacanang saying that the Ombudsman is useless or is this anti-corruption campaign just a demonstration? added.
Furthermore, Zarate said: “As it stands, if the sacred cows and patronage policy remain in the Duterte administration, then no amount of corruption campaign will succeed. They are all destined to fail. “
Under Duterte’s order, DOJ is also authorized to create as many panels as it deems necessary and invite or direct other government agencies to serve on such panels.
“This directive will remain in effect until June 30, 2022, pag-alis ko (when I leave), unless it is lifted or revoked sooner,” Duterte said.
/ MUF
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