Let's Fix the Fixers
The Office of the Ombudsman (OMB) and the Civil Service Commission (CSC) have joined forces with the public in a war on fixers. Armed with the Anti-Red Tape Act of 2007, which took effect in September, the OMB and the CSC are launching on December 9, the International Anti-Corruption Day, the Fix the Fixers Campaign to solicit information on fixers from their victims as well as upright civil servants.
In the Fix the Fixers Campaign, citizens can report fixers by text or phone to the OMB and the CSC, which shall investigate and prosecute the offenders. The key details needed are 1) the fixer's name, 2) the name and location of the government office where he operates, 3) the date and type of transactions he offers to 'fix.' The tips can be texted or called in to hotline numbers given at the end of this statement.
The Anti-Red Tape Law (R.A. 9485) imposes stiff penalties on fixers: imprisonment of as long as six years, or a fine of up to P200,000, or both. Government employees who engage in fixing or collusion with fixers are subject to dismissal and perpetual disqualification from public service, on top of the criminal penalties. Let the fixers be warned: don't risk years of prison and big fines just to skim a few hundred pesos.
In this Anti-Fixer Campaign we appeal for the people's vigilance and support, as we do for other major initiatives of the nationwide anti-red tape campaign. Already, the four oversight agencies of the campaign — CSC, OMB, the Presidential Anti-Graft Commission, and the Development Academy of the Philippines — have been tapping the views and expertise of clientele and stakeholders in streamlining the frontline services of national agencies. As these procedures are published, with deadlines, fees and requirements clearly set forth, the public can report violations and delays, which are also punishable under R.A. 9485.
In addition, we support efforts by the government and Congress to raise the salaries of public sector personnel under the Salaries Standardization Law Phase 3 resolution. With higher government pay especially in the tough economic environment, there will be less incentive and pressure for public servants to engage in corruption.
The Anti-Fixer Campaign is our chance to prove that when the government and the public unite to achieve a common good, we can make a big difference. We call on all sectors to support this campaign and be essential partners in reforming public service delivery.