‘Superbody’ to put gov’t contracts, transactions under microscope

MANILA, Philippines—A ‘superbody’ has been set up by the Ombudsman’s office to examine and contracts and transactions entered into by government agencies.

Acting Ombudsman Orlando Casimiro dubbed the ‘superbody’  as the Special Multi-Agency Reform Team (SMART). It will be made up of  representatives from the Office of the Ombudsman, the Commission on Audit (COA), the Department of Justice (DOJ), National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) and the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR).

The team’s objective, Casimiro said, is to investigate contracts and transactions entered into by government officials and employees ,with the end view of “expediting the prosecution of all perpetrators of corrupt activities, should the evidence so warrant.”

In a memorandum circular, Casimiro requested the cooperation of the five agencies to ensure the success of the ‘superbody.’

He also directed the Team to meet at the soonest possible time to discuss its plan of action.