DepEd signs anticorruption pact with partners

Aiming to stop all forms of corruption within its ranks, the Department of Education has signed an integrity pact with business partners, suppliers and nongovernment organizations to purge old habits and instill strict adherence to good governance.

Education Secretary Armin Luistro, who heads the country’s largest bureaucracy, and more than 100 business partners and civic organizations made the “integrity pledge” to shun all forms of bribery and promote honesty and ethics in all business transactions.

Among the signatories were publishers, and school supplies and furniture contractors.

The partners vowed, “We will prohibit bribery in any form in all activities under our control and ensure that our charitable and political contributions, business gifts and sponsorships are transparent and will not be for the purpose of attempting to influence the recipient, whether government or private, into an improper exercise of functions, duties or judgment.”

By signing the agreement, they were expected to “lead by example and to operate our businesses ethically and with integrity.”

Luistro said, “First, we must acknowledge that corruption erodes the moral fiber and impedes economic growth. Second, we must act responsibly by leading by example, thus, this integrity pledge which binds DepEd and the business groups to always observe ethical business practices and good corporate governance.”

DepEd’s partners vowed to train their employees in ethical business practices and to “implement appropriate internal systems and controls” to curb, and eventually remove, unethical conduct in their companies.

Private sector participants also promised to adopt accurate and transparent financial reporting mechanisms in transactions involving government.

They vowed to encourage “fair market conditions” and share best practices.

Contractors were also encouraged to sign a similar integrity agreement with other government agencies that they did business with, particularly in the bidding for and procurement of supplies, materials, equipment and construction services.