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Trade group, Ombudsman firm up anti-graft deal

By Ayen Infante

03/12/2010

The country’s biggest business group signed yesterday an agreement with state anti-graft agency, Office of the Ombudsman to promote good governance in both public and private sector.

The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) and the Office of the Ombudsman had signed a memorandum of Agreement (MoA) for the implementation of a program that will advance good governance practices in both public and private sector.

The MoA was signed by PCCI president Francis Chua and Ombudsman Merceditas Guitierrez and was witnessed by PCCI chairman Sergio Ortiz Luis Jr. and Overall Deputy Ombudsman Orlando Casimiro.

The program is in line with global efforts to fight graft and corruption which has been identified by companies as the most problematic factor for doing business particularly in the Philippines.

It was also a response to the call of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) to implement the Codes and Conduct for businessman as well as the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNcac), which mandates the implementation of a wide range of anti-corruption measures affecting laws.

Chua acknowledged that the prevalence of graft and corruption is undermining the competitiveness of the country.

He said that this partnership will further enhance efforts of PCCI to advance transparency and good governance which are critical in the country’s sustainable economic development.

He added that this program will form part of the initiatives of PCCI to institutionalize transparency and accountability standards in the operations of the member companies and affiliates nationwide.

Ombudsman Gutierrez expressed appreciation to PCCI for the partnership. She said, with PCCI as an active partner of the Office of the Ombudsman, the objective of fighting graft and corruption in the business sector will be realized. Corrupt activities can now be pointed out in business processes and solutions can be formulated to fight inefficiency, irregularity and anomalies committed by government officials and businessmen, she added.

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