By Genalyn Kabiling

The public may submit complaints about corruption in government to the “Katarungan Desks” that will be established in national and local government offices and other public places.

The latest anti-corruption program was launched by the Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC), in partnership with different government agencies in Malacañang Wednesday.

“Combating corruption should go together with combating injustice,” PACC commissioner Greco Belgica said.

“The purpose of the Katarungan desk is to develop a responsive and safe reporting platform that shall address all complaints of injustice and corruption which shall be placed in every barangay, city hall, and other public places,” he said.

He said PACC would partner with government institutions and local government units in the establishment of the anti-corruption desks in their areas of jurisdiction. The commission will also work with the Philippine National Police for the deployment of Katarungan Desk officers.

“The Katarungan Desk will have dulugan forms. ‘Yun ang form na puwedeng ihulog sa dropbox na ilalagay sa government offices, barangays at city halls [That will be the form that will be placed in drop boxes in government offices, barangays, and city halls],” Belgica said.

A weekly report on the status of corruption complaints will be submitted to the Office of the President and the Senate, he added.

In the same PACC ceremony, Senator Christopher Go expressed support for the setting up of “Kataraungan Desks” in various state offices and public places, saying officials involved in corruption must be held accountable.

He said the anti-corruption desk serves as a one-stop shop for the public to file complaints of corruption in the bureaucracy. The initiative, which was recently launched in railway terminals, deserves “wider support and implementation,” the senator said.

“Kung may makita tayong corruption, may makita tayong pagkukulang, managot ang kailangang managot [If you see corruption or shortcoming, those liable must be held accountable],” Go said.

“Heads will roll,” he added.

Go said the government must render efficient public service and ensure that public funds will benefit the people and will not be pocketed by erring officials.

A manifesto of support for the intensified anti-corruption drive was signed by Go and other representatives from various government agencies and local government units during the ceremony.

The manifesto included a commitment to “free ourselves from corruption activities,” combat corruption in their own districts and offices, cooperate with government, and set up Katarungan Desks in their areas of jurisdiction.

“Failure to fulfill our part in this manifesto should mean our voluntary resignation from our office and if we fulfill our part, may the blessing of the Lord be upon us a hundred fold,” the manifesto read.

Among those present were officials from the Department of Interior and Local Government, Department of Labor and Employment, Department of Education, Department of Justice, Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Health, National Bureau of Investigation, Bureau of Customs, Social Security System, National Housing Authority, Pag-Ibig Fund, Philippine Overseas Employment Administration, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, Anti-Red Tape Authority, and local executives from the cities of Quezon, Mandaluyong, and Valenzuela.