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RP gets equipment from USA for anti-corruption efforts


MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine government's anti-corruption efforts received a boost from the United States in the form of equipment and reference materials. Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez thanked the government's foreign partners for their “invaluable assistance" in fighting the scourge. “It has broadened the capabilities and competence of our human resources. The research and reference materials you have given us, and the equipment and state of the art technology you have introduced into our systems will equip us to better achieve our goal of a corruption-free society," she said in an article posted Tuesday on the Ombudsman website (www.ombudsman.gov.ph). She said the equipment and materials will go to 30 training programs, which have increased the proficiency of Ombudsman investigators, prosecutors, mediators and support staff. The materials from the US also included Well-equipped, fully air-conditioned training rooms, a resource room, a mock trial room and mediation rooms, a collection of laws and jurisprudence, and a digital compilation of anti-corruption laws with solid data base. Other materials included a Lower court study, records management study, installation of local and wide area network, surveillance equipment, and renovation of the Field Investigation Office (FIO). The projects were implemented through the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) and the USAID under the Millennium Challenge Account - Philippines Threshold Program Technical Assistance Project (MCA-PTPTAP). Earlier, the MCC granted the Philippines a $20.6-million grant. Of the amount, $6.5 million was earmarked to the Office of the Ombudsman. Christian Hougen, chief of the Office of Economic Development and Governance of the USAID, said the program aims at “providing the Office of the Ombudsman the necessary training and tools to address corruption on multiple fronts." Ombudsman Officials presented to the MCC Team led by Stuart Kerr the Office’ proposed anti-corruption programs. The MCC Team also held consultation meetings with OMB Officials and its Anti-Corruption Partners. Meanwhile, Gutierrez boasted that the Ombudsman's conviction rate before the Sandiganbayan rose to 73.42%, “the highest in the 21 years of existence" of the Ombudsman. She said her office had filed 416 informations before the Sandiganbayan in 2008, and 127 more from January to March 2009. It also dismissed from the service at least nine ranking officials; and achieved an 84 percent success rate in its mediation system. Gutierrez added these efforts contributed to a favorable perception rating attained by the Philippines. She said the country’s rating (0 to 10 as worst) improved from 9 in 2008 to 7 in 2009 in the latest Political and Economic Risk Consultancy (PERC) Survey. PERC said that a 4–7 rating indicates a moderate level of corruption while a grade greater than 7 means a "serious" corruption problem exists, Gutierrez said. - GMANews.TV
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