Palace: Philippines' MCC score based on old data

MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang said the Millennium Challenge Corporation's assessment of the country was based on data that are not up-to-date.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque noted that the ratings in various indicators were based on the aid firm’s methodologies in 2014, 2015 and 2016.

“The findings, therefore, may not completely reflect the reform initiatives of the Duterte administration in the area of fighting corruption and good governance,” Roque said in a statement Friday.  

On its website, MCC stated that it uses information collected from independent, third-party sources for “an objective comparison of all candidate countries.”

READ: Philippines scores low in controlling corruption, ensuring rule of law — report

According to the MCC Fiscal Year 2018 Scorecard, the country received low scores in controlling corruption and ensuring rule of law.

The percentile ranking of the Philippines in low income group category was 50 percent in control of corruption after scoring zero and 47 percent in rule of law after scoring -0.01.

This means that the country did not meet the performance standard.

Roque said that the current administration remains firm in combating corruption, citing that President Rodrigo Duterte fired corrupt government officials from their posts, implemented Freedom of Information in the executive branch, cut red tape, streamlined government services, among others.

“The current government is likewise serious in its revenue-collection efforts, including running after big-time tax delinquents such as Mighty Corporation, Sunvar Realty Development Corporation and Philippine Air Lines,” he added.

Last month, Duterte created Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission that will look into excessive lifestyles, graft and corruption activities, and then recommend punishment against erring officials.

MCC, an independent American aid agency created by the US Congress, aims to support developing countries that promote good governance.

It assesses performances of countries every year in categories namely: ruling justly, investing in people and encouraging economic freedom to determine if candidate nations are eligible for its assistance programs.

In August, it announced that the Philippines is one of the candidates for compact eligibility for fiscal year 2018.

The aid agency has not made any announcement about the country’s eligibility as the MCC Board of Directors would bare the list of new partner countries in December.

If the Philippines secures the MCC grant, it would be the second time for the country to receive the assistance. The first grant, worth $434 million, was approved by the MCC in 2011.

“We are hopeful that the MCC Board would take into account these initiatives and see our commitment to further reforms in the areas covered by the compact assistance,” Roque said. 

READ: Palace: MCC grant should be aligned with Duterte admin's agenda