AFP vows ‘swift' action vs bribe-taking personnel amid corruption probe

MANILA, Philippines — Amid growing scrutiny over irregularities in the government's flood control projects, the Armed Forces of the Philippines has reaffirmed its "zero-tolerance policy" on corruption and vowed to take action against personnel soliciting or accepting bribes.

“Any act of offering, soliciting, or receiving bribes in exchange for favors, contracts, or preferential treatment is a betrayal of the uniform we wear and the flag we serve,” AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. said in a statement on Wednesday, August 20, warning that violators will face “swift, firm, and uncompromising action.”  

"Such acts violate not only the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials, and AFP regulations—they violate the very essence of our oath," Brawner said.

The AFP chief added that commanders at all levels are “duty-bound” to enforce the policy, with accountability also extending to those who ignore violations. 

"Soliciting, asking for, or accepting money, gifts, favors, or services from contractors, suppliers, or stakeholders has absolutely no place in military service," Brawner said. 

It's unclear what prompted the AFP to issue the statement, but its timing coincides with new findings from a Senate Blue Ribbon Committee inquiry into billions of pesos in questionable flood control projects in recent years.

The hearing yesterday — the Senate committee's first on the issue — surfaced findings that several firms bagged contracts for multi-billion peso flood control projects despite having minimal paid-up capital.

This, according to Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian, indicates "possible collusion" between favored contractors and officials at the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

Before this Senate inquiry, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. had disclosed that just 15 contractors cornered P100 billion worth of projects, which accounts for 20% of the entire P545-billion budget for flood control projects since the start of his term.

The DPWH has also admitted to the existence of "ghost" flood control projects, especially in Bulacan.