Task force eyes media, NGOs’ help in anticorruption drive

MANILA, Philippines — The special anticorruption task force created by President Rodrigo Duterte will seek the help of the media in coming up with advocacy campaigns to rid the government of graft and corruption, Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra on Monday said.

“We shall tap media companies to help us produce and broadcast materials showing the deleterious effects of corruption on the public good,” Guevarra said in a Viber message.

The justice secretary, who was directed by the President to head the massive anticorruption drive, said they would also ask nongovernment organizations (NGOs) and the religious sector to support the renewed fight against the misuse of public funds.

In addition, he said the task force would request the Department of Education to develop a curriculum in basic education that would “emphasize values of integrity and honesty” among students.

“We shall invite NGOs, as well as our spiritual leaders, to join us in our crusade to destroy this culture of tolerance and indifference to the evils of corruption,” he said.

Guevarra said while the multiagency task force, led by the Department of Justice, would initially focus on questionable government projects worth at least P1 billion, it would also look into corruption allegations involving smaller amounts.

He said the group’s secretariat would determine alleged graft-ridden projects and programs “based on available materials and information to be drawn from the public.”

“The P1-billion threshold is just a guideline in our setting of priorities,” he said.

“We will also investigate complaints about corrupt practices involving smaller amounts of money, but with high impact on the delivery of government service to the people,” he added.