Press Release
May 7, 2009

Enrile bares plan to strengthen COA powers to curb government corruption

Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile today said that the Senate intended to strengthen the powers of the Commission on Audit (COA) as the country's key anti-corruption institution as he deplored what he termed as "the seeming acceptability of corruption as an inevitable consequence in government operations."

Speaking before a public accountability symposium sponsored by the Association of Local Government Auditors of the Philippines to commemorate COA's 110th anniversary in Quezon City, Enrile also challenged the private sector to play a more active role in curbing corruption through the promotion of public accountability.

"Public accountability is a legal and, more importantly, a moral duty," Enrile said. "Efforts to address corruption must not be left in the hands of the public sector because government alone cannot do it. "

"We need to create a culture of accountability among our people. However, making accountability a way of life is a collective undertaking. We need to get as much help as we can from our people," he added.

Enrile said the private sector can contribute in the campaign by helping monitor the implementation of government projects to minimize corruption. "It would be easier for COA to do its work if government agencies collaborate with community and civic organizations in terms of ensuring that public resources allotted for development projects are spent responsibly and wisely," Enrile said.

In the Senate, Enrile said, a pending bill that seeks to strengthen and upgrade the capabilities of COA as a key anti-corruption institution has been given priority status.

"Let me assure you that you can count on my support for the passage of this proposed measure and for any endeavor that will help strengthen our democratic institutions," Enrile stressed.

"Indeed, corruption causes a lot of harm not only to us present here today.," Enrile said in his speech. "But what we do now shall also affect the future generations. Corruption deprives people of choices and robs them of the opportunity to lead meaningful and decent lives. What I find more appalling, however, is the seeming acceptability of corruption as an inevitable consequence in government operations,"

"It saddens me to note that corruption has become pervasive in all areas of our life as a nation. Our people's faith in the government, whether past or present, has been greatly diminished by numerous scandals involving government officials and institutions," he noted. "At some point, allegations of massive corruption have fuelled restlessness not only among the civil service but in the military and police ranks as well."

The Senate President explained that the task of nation-building should fall not only on the shoulders of the government but on every Filipino. He lamented that despite the presence of laws to improve good governance, as well as the existence of anti-graft bodies, corruption was slowly tearing down the country's economic, political, social and moral fabric.

"There is no argument that corruption is a disincentive to investments, both foreign and domestic. Corruption impedes development. Its cost to humanity is incalculable," Enrile said.

"Massive corruption results in lower levels of human development; bad infrastructure that puts human lives in danger; a poor system of education; poorly trained, ill-equipped and demoralized military; badly damaged environment; inadequate public services; absence of the rule of law; and low regard for human life, " he added.

Corruption, Enrile noted, has been cited as the most problematic factor in doing business in the Philippines, followed by inefficient government bureaucracy and inadequate supply of infrastructure, citing the Global Competitiveness Report of the World Economic Forum 2008-2009 where the Philippines ranked 71st among 131 countries.

But Enrile also commended the state auditors for their good work, noting that in the same report the Philippines was cited to have competitive advantage with respect to its auditing and reporting standards. "May I remind our state auditors that integrity and impartiality are vital in the performance of your duty. I encourage you to adhere to the highest ethical and professional standards. I trust that you will not waver in coming up with a credible review and assessment of the existing internal financial controls in government offices," Enrile said.

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