Senate OKs Dec. 9 as day vs corruption

Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile. FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—The Senate has rallied behind President Benigno Aquino III’s declaration last month designating Dec. 9 as National Anti-Corruption Day, noting that it too was engaged in curbing corruption in government.

Senators last week adopted Resolution No. 135, authored by Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile, which said it was the sense of the Senate to support Mr. Aquino’s Proclamation No. 506 on the observance of an anticorruption day.

The President’s declaration, dated Nov. 16, 2012, took note of the signing of the United Nations Convention Against Corruption on Dec. 9, 2003, by 140 countries, including the Philippines.

The convention was meant “to promote and strengthen measures that will prevent and combat corruption more efficiently and effectively as well as enhance integrity, accountability and proper management of public affairs and public property.”

The Senate resolution said, “In order to raise awareness of the evils of corruption and of the role of the convention in combating and preventing it, the general assembly designated Dec. 9 as ‘International Anti-Corruption Day.’

“As the country commemorates the signing of the international accord against corruption, this chamber reaffirms its commitment to work hand in hand with the government and society in the campaign to eliminate corruption.”

According to the resolution, the Senate concurred in the ratification of the UNCAC on Nov. 6, 2006, “mindful of the constitutional mandate that public office is a public trust and the nation’s efforts to curb and fight corruption in government and society.”

It also said that the Senate had introduced anticorruption measures “to implement several provisions of the convention.”

Among them are Senate Bill No. 2860 under Committee Report No. 47, otherwise known as the “Whistleblower Protection Act of 2011,” now pending on second reading.