Gov. Ampatuan creates ‘anti-corruption committee’ in ARMM

COTABATO CITY – ARMM Regional Governor Datu Zaldy Uy Ampatuan announces the creation of committee against corruption on Tuesday simultaneous with the signing of Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) of 1 billion peso-regional infrastructure projects to different local government units in the autonomous region.

Pursuant to Executive Order No. 292, series of 1987, Governor Ampatuan signed on July 6, this year, the creation of Internal Affairs and Complaints Committee (IACC) that will adopt anti-corruption measures and frontline advocacies among public officials and employees of ARMM regional government.

“The ARMM regional government joins the national government in its quest for a corruption-free leadership. So, to immediately address grievances of and against ARMM officials and employees, IACC will vanguard this advocacy,” Governor Ampatuan said.

The Governor appoints Executive Secretary, Atty. Oscar Sampulna Sr. as the chairman of the committee; and Deputy Executive Secretary, Atty. Ishak Mastura, Attorney-General Frances Cynthia Guiani-Sayadi, ARMM Social Fund Project Manager, Atty. Mustapha Sambolawan and Official Development Assistance Director, Atty. Norodin Kasim, as members.

The five-member committee is tasked to act and investigate all administrative disciplinary complaints and cases against public officials and employees; probe abuses and possible violations of Republic Act No. 3019 or Anti-Graft and Corruption Practices Act, Republic Act No. 6713 or Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards of Public Officials and other related laws such as sexual harassment and related cases; assist with the Office of the Ombudsman on complaints and cases against officials and employees; and conduct lifestyle checks of public servants in the autonomous region.

In the conduct of the investigation, the committee is directed to examine closely pertinent provisions of the Administrative Code of 1987 or Executive Order 292, rules and regulations of Civil Service Commission and other related laws.

Further, the team is tasked to submit its findings and recommendations to the Regional Governor within 15 days from the conclusion of the investigation. Also, they are instructed to make a quarterly report to the Regional Governor on the progress of their tasks.

Governor Ampatuan assures the people of the autonomous region of impartial investigation to sincerely address dishonesty and fraud among officials and employees.

“I guarantee anyone that if they are scared or hesitant to report their complaints to the committee; they can come to me anytime. Anybody who knew of any irregularities either in the Office of the Regional Governor or any agency, you can report it directly to me. I will not allow that the ARMM government will be tainted with such remarks while I am the regional governor,” Ampatuan stressed. (BPI-ARMM)