Corruption woes to be addressed

THE GOVERNMENT is forming a team that will address private sector complaints relating to corruption and red tape.

The European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (ECCP), on its Web site, said it discussed with the Office of the Ombudsman last May 8 the conceptual framework for the establishment of an Investment Ombudsman Team (IOT). The IOT, which should be in place starting June 1, will address “grievances involving delays committed by any of the Investment Promotion Unit Network agencies in the delivery of frontline services relating to the establishment or conduct of business.” It will also resolve complaints involving “solicitation, demand or request by a government official in exchange of the issuance of licenses, permits and certificates, the release of shipments and cargoes, as well as arbitrary assessment of fees”, “issuance of licenses, permits and certificates to any person not qualified for or legally entitled thereto”, and “any delay or refusal to comply with the referral or directive of the Investment Ombudsman emanating from the grievance proceedings.”

Ombudsman officials could not be reached for details yesterday.

ECCP Vice-President Henry J. Schumacher said the IOT should not be confused with the earlier request of business groups for a Cabinet-level official who will take up the cudgels for investors. “The Office for Investor Protection facilitates investment processes and sees to it that government incentives are delivered. The Investor Ombudsman looks at incidents of corruption and grievances in the delivery of permits and approvals by government,” he said via text.

Last September, ECCP called for a Malacañang-attached investor relations manager, citing the case of San Roque Power Corp.which lost its value-added tax (VAT) refund on a technicality and did not find a “champion” in government. Mr. Schumacher then pressed government to “see the big picture in the San Roque Power Corp. case and deliver what was offered to this investor and all the investors who will lose their VAT refunds if the SRPC case goes the wrong way.” — Daryll Edisonn D. Saclag, Businessworld