Bongbong Marcos’ first EO: Abolish PACC, Office of Cabinet Secretary

MANILA — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has released his first executive order as the country’s chief, directing the abolition of the Duterte-era Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission and the Office of the Cabinet Secretary.

The EO 1 mandates to abolish the Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission, and its jurisdiction, powers and functions will be transferred to the Office of the Deputy Executive Secretary for Legal Affairs.

“The Deputy Executive Secretary for Legal Affairs shall promulgate rules of procedure in administrative cases under its jurisdiction; provided that the existing rules of procedure in administrative cases promulgated by the Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission shall remain in force, unless otherwise repealed or amended,” the order read.

The executive secretary will terminate the PACC’s operations and disposition of its functions, posts, staff, assets, and liabilities.

Former President Rodrigo Duterte established the PACC in 2017 with an executive order to investigate graft and corruption against presidential appointees in the executive branch. The commission was created in response to Duterte’s claims of corruption and “selective justice” against former Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales.

The Office of the Ombudsman is already tasked to “act promptly on complaints filed in any form or manner against officers or employees of the Government, or of any subdivision, agency, or instrumentality thereof, including government-owned or controlled corporations, and enforcing their administrative, civil, and criminal liability in every case where the evidence so requires, in order to promote efficient government service to the people.”

At the end of the Duterte administration, they also established the National Anti-Corruption Council, which started “Project Kasangga: Aksyon Laban sa Korapsyon,” which includes the establishment of Anti-Corruption Coordinating Councils within government agencies. The former president also issued an ambitious order to the Department of Justice to spearhead the investigation into government corruption.

Cabinet Secretary as well

Marcos subsequently abolished the Office of the Cabinet Secretary. The existing Cabinet Secretariat will be placed under the direct control and supervision of the Presidential Management Staff.

The late President Benigno Aquino III renamed the Office of the Cabinet Secretariat to Office of Cabinet Secretary in 2012.

Aquino also restored the Office of the Cabinet Secretary as a separate entity from the PMS. The Cabinet Secretary received Cabinet rank and staffing support as well.

Office of Cabinet Secretary responsibilities include assisting in providing timely and organized information to the Cabinet on issues and problems submitted for decision and action, providing the Cabinet with conference and administrative support services, and conducting technical research and special studies on specific policy issues.

“In order to achieve simplicity, economy and efficiency in the bureaucracy without effecting disruptions in internal management and general governance, the administration shall streamline official processes and procedures by reorganizing the Office of the President proper and the various attached agencies and offices, and by abolishing duplicated and overlapping official functions,” the Marcos’ EO 1 read.

Adviser on military, police affairs

Though EO 1 abolished two offices, it also established the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Military and Police Affairs, which will be under the administration of the Office of the Special Assistant to the President.

In addition, the directive mandated that the Office of the Special Assistant to the President, the presidential advisers and assistants, and the PMS must communicate with the executive secretary to provide staff support to the chief executive.

Anton Lagdameo, a three-time Davao del Norte congressman and a longtime friend and ally of Marcos, serves as the Special Assistant to the President.