MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) – President Rodrigo Duterte’s key ally, House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez, doesn’t see the need to create a new anti-graft commission.

“Di naman siguro na kailangan. Napakarami nang anti-graft body (I don’t think there’s a need. We already have so many anti-graft bodies),” said Alvarez on Wednesday, August 30, during a press conference.

Duterte, in a speech before new government appointees, announced he would create an anti-graft commission to probe complaints against allegedly corrupt government officials. The President said the commission would be tasked to finish investigations swiftly.

“I do not want investigation to last more than one month,” he said.

The commission would apparently be headed by “as much as 3 officials.”

Alvarez, however, noted that it could be useful in the executive branch “so it’s faster (para mas mabilis).” Many in the executive branch are political appointees or those who serve at the pleasure of the president.

“Kung meron namang mapatunayan doon sa mga political appointees who served under the trust and confidence of the President so pwedeng tanggalin kaagad-agad yun at palitan ng administrasyon (If you prove that a political appointee, who served under the trust and confidence of the president, is corrupt, you can be removed right away and replaced by the administration),” said Alvarez.

The House Speaker said a law would not be needed as the commission could be formed via executive order. 

At least two high-ranking administration officials – ironically, both close to Duterte – have been sacked because of corruption allegations. He fired interior secretary Ismael Sueno over an allegedly anomalous firetruck deal. A month prior, he terminated campaign spokesman Peter Tiu Lavina from his post as National Irrigation Administration chief. 

As it stands, several agencies are already in place to investigate and eventually, prosecute acts of graft or corruption.

Cases may be filed before the Ombudsman, which also has motu proprio powers – meaning it can initiate by itself a probe into allegations against public officials. (READ: Duterte says Ombudsman Morales not entitled to full term)

Alvarez said that even if the commission is created, it would not mean the automatic dissolution of the Ombudsman. “Mananatili yun kasi ang Ombudsman is a constitutional body; hindi natin pwedeng alisin yun. Wala pong kapangyarihan ang Congress para alisin yun,” he said. 

(The Ombudsman stays because it is a Constitutional body. We cannot just abolish it. The Congress has no power to abolish it.) 

The anti-graft court Sandiganbayan deals exclusively with corruption cases against government officials and employees.

Some agencies also have their own investigative and disciplinary bodies.

Meanwhile, Justice Secretary Vitaliano II said he would try to ask Duterte to consider utilizing the  Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG) “as a viable alternative to the plan.”

“The President can appoint a regular Chairperson and two more PCGG commissioners to complete the compliment of five commissioners,” Aguirre said.

Aguirre added one commissioner can handle cases of his appointees, and the other can focus on “negotiations with the Marcoses if so warranted.”

Solicitor General Jose Calida had earlier said he wants the PCGG to be dissolved. Under his proposal, the PCGG’s functions would be added to the tasks of the Office of the Solicitor General for a “leaner bureaucracy.” – Rappler.com