(Eagle News)~Bayan Muna Rep. Carlos Zarate on Wednesday, June 6, urged the government to support a bill that seeks to look into the foreign and local currency deposits of all elected and appointed officials and employees.
“If the present Duterte administration war on corruption is not just a bluster, it should support House Bill 7146,” he said in a statement.
According to Zarate, “then and now, alleged undisclosed bank accounts of some employees are issues that continue to hound all anti-corruption campaigns,” with the Bank Secrecy Law becoming an “unwitting shield and refuge of corrupt and employees.”
Under HB 7146, government officials and employees will be required to submit a written waiver for the Ombudsman to examine, inquire, or look into their bank account deposits, apart from the Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth.
Cabinet secretaries, senators, congressmen and even the President are covered by the bill.
“If justices are required to submit a waiver, there is no reason why Cabinet secretaries, and other officials and employees should not,” he said.