CIBAC vows to intensify fight vs corruption

MANILA, Philippines — The party-list group CIBAC, a multi-sectoral organization dedicated to fighting graft and corruption in government, fielded five nominees on Oct. 17.

The five nominees who submitted their certificates of nomination and acceptance at the Commission on Elections headquarters in Manila were Eddie Villanueva, Domingo Rivera, lawyer Lyndon Caña, lawyer Armi Jane Borje and Stanley Clyde Flores.

Incumbent CIBAC party-list Rep. Sherwin Tugna, in a short speech before supporters gathered in front of Plaza Mexico, said the group will continue to play an active role in legislating good governance and anti-corruption measures in the House of Representatives.

He said CIBAC is pushing for a measure that would strengthen the Office of the Ombudsman by giving incentives to its personnel to combat “the corrupt and the crocodiles in government.”

Villanueva, CIBAC’s first nominee, vowed to continue the group’s advocacy of fighting corruption and cronyism.

“We will fight for the right use of taxes to improve the lives of Filipinos. CIBAC will continue to be the fiscalizer of the government,“ he said.

In the 17th Congress, CIBAC authored and co-authored 131 House bills and resolutions, with 11 bills getting enacted into law. Among the priority measures of CIBAC for the 17th Congress are: the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Information and Education Act, Barangay Anti-Hakot Bill, and the Freedom of Information Act.

CIBAC was instrumental in the passage of the Anti-Red Tape Act, Government Procurement Reform Act and the Ease of Doing Business Act.

CIBAC has been represented in the House since the 12th Congress in 2001.