05 November 2015 – Key Philippine initiatives in fighting corruption were highlighted today at a United Nations conference on fighting corruption attended by over 1,500 representatives of 160 signatory states to the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC), including more than 60 heads of national anti-corruption agencies, other UN agencies and representatives from international non-government organizations (NGOs).
As Head of the Philippine delegation, Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales highlighted these anti-corruption initiatives when she addressed the 6th Conference of States Parties to the UN Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC). Among the initiatives she cited in her statement were the Integrity Management Program of 2014, the Anti-Corruption Plan of 2015-2018 and passage of legislation which strengthened the anti-corruption court, the Sandiganbayan.
As objective proof of the success of these initiatives, the Ombudsman pointed to the most recent survey carried out by Transparency International. She said that the Philippines’ “gains in the battle against corruption have been recognized. In a span of five years, among the 174 countries surveyed in the Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) of Transparency International, the Philippines’ ranking has improved by 54 notches from 139th place in 2009 to 85th place in 2014.”
Though the Philippines has made real and concrete progress in fighting corruption, Justice Carpio-Morales said that the Philippines is committed to doing even more, “While we celebrate our gains, our optimism for the future is tempered by the problems that persist, as well as new challenges that may emerge. We cannot afford to pause and lose momentum,” she emphasized.
In her remarks, Justice Carpio Morales also drew the important connection between economic development and the fight against corruption. “The Philippines recognizes the vital role that the rule of law and accountable governance play in economic development. We are confident that the spirit of good governance and integrity which drives our community of nations will triumph over the forces of corruption that cause social inequities and economic disparities,” she told the UN gathering.
The Philippine delegation was co-headed by Commission on Audit Chairperson Michael G. Aguinaldo and was composed of high-level representatives from the Office of the President, notably the Deputy Executive Secretary for Legal Affairs (DESLA) Menardo Guevarra and the Deputy Executive Secretary for Finance and Administration (DESFA) Ronaldo Geron. The Philippine Ambassador to the Russian Federation, H.E. Carlos Sorreta, along with Department of Justice (DOJ) Undersecretary Zabedin M. Azis, Anti-Money Laundering Council Executive Director Julia Bacay-Abad and Presidential Commission on Good Governance Chairman Richard Amurao, also formed part of the Philippine Delegation.
The Philippines signed the UNCAC on 09 December 2003 and ratified it on 08 November 2006. END
