Most��complaints��received by anti-corruption task force involve��LGUs’ intervention in public works��

THE JUSTICE��department’s Task Force Against Corruption (TFAC) has endorsed��several��complaints��to the Office of the Ombudsman, mostly��involving local government officials who are meddling��in public works projects.����

“As of June 2021, the (Ombudsman) has acted upon and is currently evaluating the numerous complaints endorsed/filed by the TFAC,” Justice Secretary Menardo I. Guevarra said in a group message to reporters on Sunday.��

Most of the complaints��against local officials, he said,��“had something to do with their intervention in public works projects in their respective jurisdiction.”��

Among the subjects of the endorsed��corruption cases��are municipal or provincial officials��in��Lanao del Norte, Isabela,��Zamboanga��del Norte, Batangas. There are also complaints against the��Registry��of��Deeds in Leyte and Tarlac.��

Justice Undersecretary Emmeline A. Villar said as of July 19, the TFAC has received 357 complaint documents in total.��

“However, since some of these documents are mere duplicates, the actual number of (new) complaints/documents is 240,” Ms. Villar��said.��

The duplicates��include��follow-ups, documents sent more than once, and documents to other agencies which the agencies forwarded or endorsed to the TFAC.��

Of the 240 new complaints, 20 have been endorsed to the Ombudsman for further investigation, she��said.��—��Bianca Angelica D.��Añago����