Domingo is again anti-graft chief

President Arroyo has tapped former Commission on Audit Chairman Eufemio Domingo to head the newly formed Presidential Anti-Graft Commission (PAGC), a three-member superbody that will investigate admi-nistrative cases and complaints involving corruption in government.

It would be a reappointment of sorts for Domingo, who had chaired the now defunct Presidential Commission Against Graft and Corruption (PCAGC) during the Ramos administration.

Mrs. Arroyo announced the designation of Domingo during her regular press conference at Malacañang yesterday. The President said she has yet to appoint the two other PAGC commissioners.

She created the PAGC through Executive Order No. 12 which she signed on April 16.

Under EO 12, the PAGC is empowered to investigate and conduct hearings on administrative cases and complaints against all presidential appointees and government agencies or intrumentalities.

At her press conference, the President said she issued EO 12 to finally put in motion her administration’s intensified campaign to weed out graft and corruption in government.

"As far as graft and corruption is concerned, we have to begin with leadership by example. We are also working in structural changes in the system of governance. That is why I have strengthened the anti-graft commission so that chairman Domingo can have more authority to work on this systemic problem," she said.

She ordered that funds, records, equipment, furniture and other properties of the PCAGC be transferred to the PAGC while incumbent PCAGC officers and personnel may be transferred and appointed to new positions in the PAGC.

In creating the PAGC, Mrs. Arroyo voided EO 268, signed by deposed President Joseph Estrada, creating the National Anti-Corruption Commission to replace the PCAGC. The NACC has been inoperational since last year.

The new PAGC has been given the authority to investigate the governing board of any regulatory agency, chartered institutions and directors or officers of government owned and controlled corporations appointed or nominated by the President.

In the same manner, the commission will have jurisdiction to investigate a non-presidential appointee who may have acted in conspiracy or may have been involved with a presidential appointee or ranking officer.

According to EO 12, government personnel who fail or refuse to comply with a PAGC subpoena may be charged, suspended or dismissed from government service.

The PAGC is also empowered to administer oaths, issue subpoenas and secure the assistance of any agency under the executive branch, including government-owned and controlled corporations.