By: Argyll Cyrus B. Geducos
President Duterte has signed Executive Order No. 43 creating the Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission to probe presidential appointees in all branches of government.
Duterte created the panel two months after his speech in August in which he revealed his plan to create a commission to handle complaints regarding corruption in the government.
According to the EO, the PACC under the Office of the President directly assists the Chief Executive in investigating and or hearing administrative cases primarily involving graft and corruption against all presidential appointees.
Duterte cited in the EO the need to create a separate commission solely dedicated to assist the President also in the conduct of lifestyle checks and or fact-finding inquiries concerning presidential appointees and other public officers allegedly involved in graft and corrupt practices.
The PACC will also deal with officials who have committed other high crimes and or violations of the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees.
Duterte had said he wants the investigation on the complaints to last not more than a month.
A similar anti-graft commission was created by President now Pampanga Rep. Gloria M. Arroyo in 2001 through an executive order. The Presidential Anti-Graft Commission was abolished in 2010 by President Benigno S. Aquino III due to redundancies.