Question & AnswerQ&A (EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 378)
The main purpose of Executive Order No. 378 is to create the Presidential Anti-Graft Committee tasked to enforce and implement Republic Act No. 1379 (the Anti-Graft Law) by investigating and determining unlawfully acquired properties by public officers and employees.
It seeks to implement Republic Act No. 1379, also known as the Anti-Graft Law.
Republic Act No. 1379 provides for the forfeiture in favor of the State of any property unlawfully acquired by any public officer or employee, and it sets the proceedings for such forfeiture.
The committee is granted all the powers of an investigating committee under sections 71 and 580 of the Revised Administrative Code, including the authority to call upon government departments and agencies for assistance, and to examine any books, documents, papers, or records relevant to their investigations.
The Committee is tasked to inquire into, investigate, determine, and verify any unlawfully acquired properties of government officials and employees, especially those in the Bureau of Customs, the Bureau of Internal Revenue, and other government offices or institutions where similar investigations have been conducted.
The committee forwards all its investigation reports, findings, recommendations, and supporting evidence to the President of the Philippines.
Yes, the committee is authorized to call upon any department, bureau, office, agency, or instrumentality of the government, including government-owned or controlled corporations, for clerical help, assistance, and information needed for its functions.
No, Executive Order No. 378 states that Republic Act No. 1379 is not self-executing and requires a working group, like the Presidential Anti-Graft Committee, to effectively enforce it.
The President exercises powers vested by law to create the committee, specifically through issuance of Executive Order No. 378.