Whistle-blowers’ portal vs erring GOCC execs, workers launched

MANILA, Philippines - An online portal that will serve as an avenue to report erring officials and employees of government-owned and controlled corporations (GOCCs) was launched yesterday.

The Governance Commission on GOCCs (GCG) will manage the whistle-blowing web portal at www.whistleblowing.gcg.gov.ph, where the public can file and track their complaints against corrupt officials.

“This portal is to ensure that our efforts to address misconduct are sped up,” GCG chairman Cesar Villanueva said in a speech at the launch in Makati City last Wednesday.

For his part, general counsel Christian Castillo said: “Everyone can submit reports without fear of being identified, which is a common disincentive to many potential whistle-blowers.”

The website accepts anonymous complaints, with the GCG only providing a “whistle-blowing ID.” The ID can be used to track updates on the complaint.

“Once an investigation has been concluded, the Governance Commission may endorse to the appropriate government agency, such as the Office of the Ombudsman, the pursuit of criminal and/or administrative processes,” the agency added.

Alternatively, it may also recommend to the President the removal of the officers or directors concerned as prescribed under Republic Act 10149 that reformed the GOCC sector.

“The handling of information submitted in the website will also be assigned to designated people who will have exclusive access to the reports,” Castillo explained.

“We now encourage the reporting public to use this website as their primary reporting channel,” he said, adding however that complaints will still be accepted through other mediums such as e-mail.

Since Memorandum Circular 2014-04 that sets out the whistle-blowing policy was issued, the GCG said it has received around 100 reports against different GOCCs.

“Resolutions are decided on a case-to-case basis, as reports may be dismissed, referred or further investigated upon depending on its subject,” the agency said.