PRESS STATEMENT
February 7, 2020
Ref.: ROLLY GONZALO
CONTACT NO. 0995-1329163
NPC, PACC IN JOINT FIGHT VS. CORRUPTION
THE National Press Club of the Philippines (NPC) and the Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC) on Friday, February 7, 2020, signed a ‘Memorandum of Agreement’ (MOA) to bolster the government’s anti-corruption campaign.
Signing on behalf of the NPC, one of the country’s oldest and biggest organization of active members of the press, is Pres. Rolly ‘Lakay’ Gonzalo, while the PACC is represented by commissioner, Atty. Manny Luna, with club officers as witnesses.
Gonzalo said the MOA signing with the Executive Department’s main anti-corruption watchdog is a “clear message” that the NPC has now regained its credibility that has been tarnished due to the abuses and transgressions of its former officials.
“This MOA is the fruit of the serious reform efforts that our leadership has undertaken consistently over the years resulting to the NPC regaining the trust and confidence not only of our peers in the media community but more importantly, by other organizations such as the PACC.
“We assure the PACC that this trust and confidence shall not be in vain,” Gonzalo said.
Under the MOA, the NPC shall assist the PACC in pursuit of its mandate of assisting the President of the Philippines in investigating allegations of corruption against all presidential appointees and other government personnel under the PACC’s jurisdiction.
The assistance shall come by way of providing the commission with documents and information to enhance the campaign for transparency and accountability in government official acts, transactions or decisions.
Aside from regular consultations, the MOA also calls for both parties to “coordinate” in taking actions against reports of shenanigans in government leading to the successful prosecution of cases against erring officials.
Both sides also committed to limit the use of all information and documents they gathered only “for lawful purposes” and in pursuit of their respective mandates.
Luna, for his part, noted that because of the “risky nature” of the media profession, the PACC agrees to recommend the giving of ‘reward’ to members of the press instrumental in uncovering corruption in government transactions “subject to the provision of existing laws.
“We (the PACC) recognises the vital role played by the media in the campaign against graft and corruption in government.
“We also recognise that members of the press often times find themselves in a ‘risky situation,’ especially when exposing shenanigans in government and if only for their brave effort, they should also be amply rewarded,” Luna said.
The NPC and the PACC also agreed for a periodic review of the agreement for a more effective implementation. ###