TABUK CITY, Kalinga – Rep. Allen Jesse C. Mangaoang underscored that the creation of the Task Force Against Graft and Corruption in the public works department should be replicated in other government agencies to help in the government’s thrust to curb the proliferation of corruption in the bureaucracy.
“Stamping out corruption in the bureaucracy is everyone’s concern that is why the campaign against graft and corruption should not be confined to a single agency but it should be applicable to all the agencies,” Mangaoang, chairman of the House committee on national cultural minorities and indigenous peoples, stressed.
The Kalinga lawmaker pointed out that it so happened that the public works department was singled out in the recent pronouncement of President Rodrigo Duterte but the same message is actually applicable to all the government agencies to curb the proliferation of corruption in their respective offices and not to await for the President to again mention certain agencies that are corrupt-leiden before taking appropriate actions.
Mangaoang claimed that it does not mean that the public works department will have to act on reported graft and corrupt practices within the agency but it should serve as a stern warning to everyone in the bureaucracy to start reforming to prevent their career from being compromised once they will be charged for whatever involvement in corrupt practices that tend to taint the overall image of the bureaucracy.
He stated that the active participation of the public in reporting to the authorities the corrupt activities of government officials and employees plays a key role in immediately identifying the personnel who are the culprits in such illegal activities so as not to affect the image of workers who are really dedicated in the performance of their assigned duties and responsibilities as public servants.
Congressman Mangaoang emphasized that there are many government officials and employees who are really dedicated in the performance of their assigned functions compared to those that are corrupt, thus, it is important for the different government agencies to have their own anti-corruption watchdogs that will police their ranks and institute the appropriate measures to rid the bureaucracy of corrupt personnel.
He admitted that corruption in the bureaucracy is actually deeply rooted that is why it takes an iron hand to really help in curbing the problem for the benefit of the present and future generation of Filipinos who want to live in corrupt-free nation.
The congressman lauded the unrelenting and uncompromising efforts of President Duterte to curb the proliferation of graft and corruption during his term and that he was able to realize gains in the said campaign but anti-corruption efforts must be sustained up to the future leaders so that there will be a clear message that corruption will not be tolerated in the bureaucracy.
Mangaoang called on the public to remain vigilant against the prevalence of corruption in the different government agencies and for them to take the lead in reporting the matter to the authorities so that appropriate action will be done against corrupt officials and employees who continue to cling to their positions. By HENT
