PNoy admin vows to improve transparency

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine government vowed to improve transparency and accountability at a multilateral forum in London amid an ongoing domestic pork barrel controversy that has put the Aquino administration on the defensive.

At the recently concluded Open Government Partnership (OGP) Summit in London on November 1, Budget and Management Secretary Butch Abad highlighted the achievements and the challenges of the Aquino administration’s open government program. 

“Despite the challenges we’re facing in our transparency and accountability campaign, the Aquino administration is keener than ever on reinforcing the strength of our good governance agenda,” said Abad, who added that the government was keen on pushing for greater reform towards “sustainable public engagement.”

The country also gained international recognition after winning the Bright Spots Competition that recognized the Citizen’s Participatory Audit (CPA) program of the Commission on Audit (COA). The program bested finalists on transparency and citizen participation from 6 other countries, including Indonesia, Chile, Montenegro, Estonia, Georgia, and Romania.

Public scrutiny

President Benigno Aquino III and members of Congress have come under increased public scrutiny in recent weeks over the use and alleged abuse of discretionary funds. Lawmakers implicated in a multi-billion-peso pork barrel fund scam have either denied involvement in the abuse of funds or said they have no accountability over how funds are disbursed.

The President himself made a live primetime address to the nation on October 30 to defend his administration against allegations of graft and corruption in a move seen by some political analysts as an attempt to shore up eroding political capital. (READ: Opposition solons: What triggered President’s speech?)

More work needed

Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda also defended the government’s anti-corruption track record at the Asia Regional Caucus during the OGP Summit, even as he admitted more work could be done to improve transparency.

“We will need to tighten coordination among our agencies to ensure that the disclosure of information is always efficient, timely, and accurate. With civil society and the public already very interested in what we’re doing, though, it shouldn’t be difficult for us to engage them in an even deeper and more earnest discussion on government reform,” Lacierda said.

The Philippines is one of the 8 founding country-partners of the Open Government Partnership – a multilateral initiative to promote greater transparency and accountability in government. Established in 2011, the partnership has grown to 62 participating countries.  Each country is required to submit an OGP action plan on how to improve transparency and increase citizen participation in governance. – Rappler.com