Press Release
July 20, 2016

De Lima to CPAs: Be partners in fighting corruption

Senator Leila M. de Lima today enlisted the support of the public accountants to take active part in the fight against corruption even as she hailed the important role they play in ensuring transparency and integrity in private and public transactions.

Speaking during the 8th Controllers/Accountants Summit in Edsa Shangri-La, de Lima underscored the important role and contributions public accountants play in averting graft and corruption.

"The work you do directly contributes to the financial health and efficiency of institutions across the public and private sectors. Whether or not you perform your responsibilities, you have a direct impact on the lives of our countrymen," she said.

"As we strive to make it more difficult for the corrupt to hide the money they have stolen from the people, so too do we want to enhance Filipino's ability to actively participate in the fight against corruption," she added.

De Lima also reminded public accountants to remain faithful to the oath they took, stressing that they need to keep themselves abreast with modern technology which some quarters have been using to commit fraud.

"Sa modernong panahon, mas moderno na rin ang paraan ng mga abusado at magnanakaw. Iniimbita ko kayong pag-aralan ang mga pamantayan upang magabayan kayo sa pagtugon sa mga anumalya at maling transaksyon," she said.

"Like me, your profession likewise deals with public welfare and public trust. I will do my utmost to bring to the Senate our collective agenda in fighting corruption as this hampers the ability of a government to serve its people," the Senator said.

De Lima added that one of the first bills that she filed in the Senate was the Bank Secrecy Law Amendments which seeks to exclude government officials and employees from coverage under the bank secrecy law.

"I believe that no person who serves in government should have the opportunity to breach or abuse this mandate, or be promised a shield from accountability in the commission of crime," she said.

The senator also talked about her legislative agenda in the Senate, notably on bills that seek to strengthen the criminal justice system and uphold human rights. These include Qualified Reclusion Perpetua, Anti-Criminal Exploitation Bill, the Proceeds of Crime Act, and the Freedom of Information Bill.

"For the nation to continue moving forward, everyone must do his and her part. No matter what profession we hold, no matter what status in society we are in, we are all called upon to serve with integrity and accountability," she said.

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