DOF urges GOCCs to fight corruption, prioritize public service

The Department of Finance (DOF) urged Government-Owned or -Controlled Corporations (GOCCs) to actively combat corruption and prioritize public service, emphasizing integrity in leadership and processes.

Finance Secretary Ralph Recto reminded GOCC officials that they are "people owned" and their primary responsibility is to the welfare of Filipinos, calling for accessible public services.

This directive from the DOF occurs amidst ongoing investigations into anomalies in flood control projects and calls for public protest against widespread corruption.

Senator Erwin Tulfo also called for the swift passage of the long-delayed Freedom of Information (FOI) bill, highlighting its importance in empowering citizens and ensuring accountability.

Tulfo stated that the FOI bill would allow Filipinos to scrutinize public fund usage and "tears down" walls to transparency, giving citizens the power to know how their taxes are spent and who betrays their trust.

The proposed FOI legislation, which has languished in Congress for years, aims to mandate full public disclosure of government transactions and decisions, excluding matters of national security or privacy.

Tulfo asserted that the FOI law is "more relevant than ever" due to recent corruption scandals involving ghost and substandard infrastructure projects.