November 11, 2010

FNF Philippines Maps Out Anti-corruption Program with PCGG

(L-R) Mr. Jules Maaten, PCGG Commissioner Maita Chan-Gonzaga, Ms. Minne Salao, and Marco Sardillo III

The Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Liberty (FNF) Philippine Office has committed its support for the anti-corruption programs of the Presidential Commission on Good Goverment (PCGG). In a meeting with PCGG Commissioner Maita Chan-Gonzaga, FNF Philippine Office Country Director Jules Maaten reiterated that the Foundation shall prioritize anti-corruption projects as a follow through to the Aquino Government’s battle cry of “Kung walang corrupt, walang mahirap.” (If no one is corrupt, no one will be poor.)

PCGG is celebrating its 25th anniversary on 28 February 2011. The Commission was created by then President Corazon Aquino by virtue of Executive Order No. 1 mainly to recover the ill-gotten wealth accumulated by former President Ferdinand Marcos. “The public perceives that this is the only work of PCGG. However, it is also our role to develop and adopt institutional safeguards to prevent corruption in Government,” said Commissioner Gonzaga. “Hopefully, through public activities that we will organize with FNF, we can engage more people to help us realize this mandate,” she added.

“We admire PCGG’s work that looks into past transgressions. Now, they are telling us to move forward by not forgetting the lessons of history,” expressed Mr. Maaten.

A year-long program has been lined up by PCGG for their 25th anniversary. This includes holding an exhibit and lecture series, and producing publications.