Soon to be formed ‘mega task force’ against corruption to focus on 5 agencies on its list for investigation

Five government agencies will be the focus of the soon formation of "mega task force" against corruption led by the Department of Justice (DOJ). 

According to DOJ Secretary Menardo Guevarra, the following will be the first on the list for investigation:  

• PhilHealth
• Bureau of Internal Revenue
• Bureau of Customs
• Land Registration Authority 
• Department of Public Works and Highways

It is also possible that the investigation will cover legislators and other branch of the government.

 

According to Guevarra, the core group that investigated the alleged corruption in PhilHealth will also form the mega task force. It will be led by DOJ together with the following agencies:

• National Bureau of Investigation
• National Prosecution Service
• Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission
• Office of the Special Assistant to the President
• Anti-Money Laundering Council

While Commission on Audit, Civil Service Commission and Office of the Ombudsman are invited to join the investigation.

Some critics, on the other hand, doubt the timing of the formation of the task force and if there is really anyone that could be held accountable.

May masampolan dapat, na preferably, malaking taong involved sa corruption 'no? Kung maghihintay ka pa next year, wala, election time na next year eh,

said Dr. Temario Rivera, chair ng Center for People Empowerment in Governance.

(To serve as an example, there should be someone powerful involved in corruption that’ll be apprehended, right? If you wait until next year, it’s already late because that’s election time.)

 While, governance expert Tony La Viña advised that for the investigation to have an impact, it will first investigate the top 100 most powerful and wealthy government officials.