Press Secretary Rose Beatrix "Trixie" Cruz-Angeles (Screengrab from RTVM)
MANILA – There is no need to retain the Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC) since its investigative powers do not conform to the Marcos administration's efforts to streamline the bureaucracy, Malacañang said Friday.
Press Secretary Rose Beatrix "Trixie" Cruz-Angeles said the PACC has been abolished because it is "not in line with streamlining."
"First of all, its nature is investigative which can also be conducted by the Office of the Ombudsman. So, usually, what they do is they gather evidence on presidential appointees and file the case with the Ombudsman," she said in a Palace press briefing.
Cruz-Angeles said a complainant can directly file a case before the Office of the Ombudsman for investigation.
"In other words, there are government agencies that address this already so there’s no further need for a PACC," she said.
The PACC, which was created through Executive Order 43 signed by former President Rodrigo Duterte on Oct. 4, 2017, serves as the lead agency mandated to eliminate all forms of corruption in the executive department.
The PACC, in close coordination with various government and law enforcement agencies, investigates and gathers evidence for referral to the Ombudsman against public officials accused of corruption.
It also has the authority to conduct lifestyle checks and fact-finding investigations on government employees allegedly involved in corrupt activities.
On June 30, President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. signed Executive Order (EO) 1, abolishing several offices under the executive branch, which includes the PACC.
EO 1 abolished the PACC and the Office of the Cabinet Secretary to achieve "simplicity, economy, and efficiency" in the bureaucracy.
Under the EO, the jurisdiction, powers, and functions of the PACC will be transferred to the Office of the Deputy Executive Secretary for Legal Affairs.
The Deputy Executive Secretary for Legal Affairs is directed to promulgate rules of procedure in administrative cases under its jurisdiction, provided that the existing rules of procedure in administrative cases promulgated by the PACC shall remain in force unless otherwise repealed or amended.
The winding-up of the operations and disposition of the functions, positions, personnel, assets, and liabilities of the PACC will be administered by the Executive Secretary.
All personnel affected by the abolition of the PACC may be allowed to avail of the benefits provided under existing laws, if applicable. (PNA)
