Prominent parliamentarians from around the world are expected to
attend the 5th International Conference of the Global Organization
of Parliamentarians Against Corruption (GOPAC), which will be held for the
first time here in Manila. The conference, organized in cooperation with the
Senate of the Philippines and the Southeast Asian Parliamentarians Against
Corruption (SEAPAC), and with the full support of President Benigno S. Aquino
III, will run from January 30 to February 2, 2013 at the Philippine
International Convention Center.
Good Leaders, Good Laws, Good Citizens is the theme of this year’s conference. The conference proper will
be conducted for two days, with capacity-building workshops centered around it.
John Williams, GOPAC founder and CEO, and Dr. Naser Al Sane, GOPAC Chair, will
be joining the Manila Steering Committee along with an expected 500
international delegates from over 46 countries in debates and discussions on the
following topics:
- Parliamentary Oversight and The Role of Good Audit in the
Fight Against Corruption
- Anti Money Laundering Laws v. Bank Secrecy
- Transparency in Public Procurement and Business and Civil Society Oversight
PHILIPPINE THRUST
The Philippines, through
the initiative of Senator Edgardo Angara, has been actively participating in
GOPAC’s activities for many years now. One of the most significant results that
came out of this participation was the creation of the SEAPAC – GOPAC’s regional
chapter that aims to lead anti-corruption efforts in Southeast Asia on a
coordinated and institutional basis. This chapter was established in Manila in
2005 with the Philippines, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand,
and Vietnam as members.
According to Angara, the
conference is a rare opportunity for all participants, local and foreign, to
share and learn from fellow parliamentarians who are steadfast in its fight
against corruption in governance. He said that GOPAC’s agreement to hold its 5th
conference in Manila is the international community’s way of recognizing the
Aquino administration’s commitment to stamping out corruption that has stymied
the nation’s growth for decades. He cited such government efforts as the
strengthening of the Anti Money Laundering Act and the ratification of the
United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC).He likewise emphasized on the
need to restore public trust and confidence in governance not only within the
Philippines, but in the global setting as well.
“By hosting the 2013
GOPAC conference, we hope to demonstrate our untiring and sincere efforts to
cleanse our government of corrupt practices, abuse and misconduct,
notwithstanding unfavorable past record of successive governments,” Angara
said. “The world faces widespread unrest and growing distrust of government. It
is our responsibility to restore trust and confidence in our public
institutions to preserve stability, stimulate economic development and protect
democracy.”
In Transparency
International’s 2011 Corruption Perceptions Index, the Philippines ranked #129
out of 183 countries—an encouraging improvement from being previously ranked as
#134. Angara, the organization’s only Philippine representative, was elected
Vice Chair of the GOPAC Board of Directors in 2011.
Part of the Manila conference’s
thrust is to increase the number of members from the local legislature. Current
members include Senator Loren Legarda (Member) and Senator Franklin Drilon
(Member), as well as former senator Juan Miguel Zubiri (Secretary). Members
from the Philippine Congress include Rep. Bernadette Herrera-Dy (Treasurer),
Rep. Juan Edgardo Angara (founding member of SEAPAC), Rep. Acmad Tomawis, of
Marawi City; Rep. Chona Cruz-Gonzales, sectoral representative of Citenzen's
Battle Against Corruption (CIBAC) party-list; Rep. Ronald M. Cosalan, of the
province of Benguet; and Rep. Nelson P. Collantes of Batangas.
Apart from Senator
Angara, the Manila Steering Committee for the conference include Senator
Franklin M. Drilon for Ways and Means;Ret. Chief Justice Artemio V. Panganiban
for Program; Dr. Georgina Encanto for Public Information; Rep. Bernadette
Herrera-Dy, Atty. Roan Libarios and Atty. Raoul Angangco for Membership and
Participation; Tourism Asst. Secretary Domingo Enerio for Reception,
Transportation and Hospitality; Gen. Raul Bacalzo for Security and Medical
Support; Atty. Avelino Cruz for Social Programs and Tours; Atty. Celia
Villanueva and Mina Pangandaman for Registration; and Antonio de Duzman for
Conference Venue and Logistics.
REGIONAL ANTI-CORRUPTION EFFORTS
The SEAPAC has adopted a Regional Action Plan, covering
four main components: institutionalization, knowledge building, reform
dialogue, and the ratification of the UNCAC within its member-countries.
The group aims to further strengthen and extend
its network of parliamentarians from the Southeast Asian region by building
more chapters, ultimately pushing SEAPAC to become the authority in fighting
corruption in the region. Member countries have the privilege to take advantage
of the vast resources necessary to plan and implement legislative actions in
accordance with SEAPAC objectives.
Ratification of the UNCAC in SEAPAC
member-countries will make them become full-pledged parties to this landmark UN
convention. To date, the
Philippines is only the second Southeast Asian country that has ratified the
UNCAC, having been manifested by the Philippine Senatein November 2006.
ABOUT GOPAC
GOPAC, the only
international network dedicated to promoting good governance and combating
corruption around the world, was established in 2002 in Ottawa, Canada. The
organization is uniquely composed of legislators from over 46 countries who
have the influence to enact policy and support oversight changes in their
countries. Since its inception, GOPAC has harnessed global pressure and local
action to improve public awareness and to establish international benchmarks in
the fight against corruption.
Prior to Manila,
previous GOPAC conferences were held in Mexico, Kuwait and Tanzania. Previous
GOPAC conferences have served as catalysts for the creation of local policies
that have supported anti-corruption campaigns. The organization established
Global Task Forces (GTF)to keep track of specific corruption issues. Last year,
four GTFs were mobilized to concentrate on the following anti-corruption
issues: anti-money laundering, the UNCAC, parliamentary oversight, and
parliamentary ethics and conduct.
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