Economic execs doubt Ombudsman on anti-graft bid 08/23/2010

Economic execs doubt Ombudsman on anti-graft bid

08/23/2010 The economic managers of President Aquino had turned to blaming Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez in answering questions about the failure thus far of the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) to file tax cases against government officials under the Revenue Integrity Protection Service (RIPS) program. Finance Secretary Cesar V. Purisima said that he needed to meet the Ombudsman to get assurance on making anti-graft cases on government officials to prosper.  Purisima said he had set a meeting with Gutierrez within the week to discuss a series of graft complaints against government officials that he did not name. Trade groups are com-plaining that the lack of a show of determination to stop corruption in government through the prosecution of officials suspected of committing graft is among the reasons for the Philippines to be considered an unfriendly place to do business.  Purisima recently told businessmen, analysts, entreprenuers and policy makers that the Ombudsman, under Gutierrez, is an important component to the fight against graft but whose coopera-tion the govern-ment is not 100 percent certain. The Ombudsman’s role surfaced after businessmen asked him for updates on the RIPS program and why it was not as visible as similar programs targeted against smugglers and tax evaders, for example. .... MORE Source:  The Daily Tribune URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20100823hed4.html

HEADLINES Senate plans to cut Noynoy’s intel funds Noynoy’s allies finding ways to realign poll budget to pork Poll execs in folder scam fight suspension order Economic execs doubt Ombudsman on anti-graft bid Deadly NPA attack could derail talks — gov’t Lacson sets conditions on coming out of hiding