Title
Creation of Presidential Agency on Reforms
Law
Executive Order No. 4
Decision Date
Jan 7, 1966
Executive Order No. 04 establishes the Presidential Agency on Reforms and Government Operations (PARGO) to combat illegal activities and improve government administration in the Philippines, granting the agency powers to investigate corruption, gather evidence, and promote moral values.
presidential agency
reforms and government operations
executive order

Legal basis and named authorities

  • The President acted by virtue of powers vested in him by law to create PARGO.
  • PARGO is expressly vested with powers under Sections 71 and 580 of the Revised Administrative Code.
  • PARGO is authorized to investigate violations of Republic Acts Nos. 1379 and 3109.
  • PARGO’s access to certain records is tied to prior issuances including Executive Order No. 378 (February 18, 1960) and Executive Order No. 457 (December 20, 1961), governing a predecessor committee’s creation and later abolition.
  • The Order abolishes a predecessor body identified as the Presidential Anti-graft Committee created by Executive Order No. 4 dated January 18, 1962.

Policy purpose and intended reforms

  • The Order establishes a policy of preventing the commission of crimes and other venalities through proper education, information, and other preventive measures.
  • The Order emphasizes that government personnel must set the right example of dedicated service and upright leadership.
  • The Order directs that a more thorough and expeditious study be made of official matters, issues, and problems demanding executive attention.
  • The Order targets the reorientation of public officials and employees and the people in general on spiritual and moral values as the foundation of enduring national strength and character.
  • The Order aims to ensure social, economic, and political advancement for the greatest good to the greatest number of people through instituted reforms.

Creation, placement, and leadership of PARGO

  • PARGO is created as the Presidential Agency on Reforms and Government Operations, directly under and responsible only to the President of the Philippines.
  • PARGO is headed by the Assistant to the President, who is authorized as the head of the Agency.
  • The Assistant to the President is a member of the Cabinet and has all the rights and privileges of that office.
  • The Assistant to the President is authorized to recommend to the President the appointment of personal and technical staff for PARGO.
  • The Assistant to the President is authorized to recommend the detail and assignment of personnel and equipment from departments, bureaus, offices, and agencies and other government instrumentalities that PARGO may require.

Staff support and advisory participation

  • The Assistant to the President may call upon the Technical Advisers to the President to assist in study and/or give advice on matters within their fields.
  • The Assistant to the President is authorized to use any form of communication and transportation or means of conveyance in official travel of the Assistant or PARGO personnel for speedy and efficient execution of duties.
  • The Agency may enlist appropriate government offices and entities and local governments to assist in transmission and implementation of policies, programs, and/or reforms aimed at developing strong and dynamic moral character, integrity, and civic consciousness among the masses of the people.

Core functions: public service, investigation, and coordination

  • PARGO must act as a central clearing house through which the general public and all government officials and employees may transmit inquiries, ventilate grievances, lodge complaints, and receive information and welcome advice.
  • PARGO must investigate all activities involving or affecting immoral practices, graft and corruption, smuggling (physical or technical), lawlessness, subversion, and all other activities prejudicial to government and public interests, and must submit proper recommendations to the President.
  • PARGO must establish and maintain direct liaison between the President and executive departments, bureaus, offices, agencies, and instrumentalities of government, including government-owned or controlled corporations, and coordinate with all branches of local governments to ensure speedy and effective implementation of the Administration’s policies.
  • PARGO must investigate cases of graft and corruption and violations of Republic Acts Nos. 1379 and 3109, and gather necessary evidence to establish prima facie acts of graft and acquisition of unlawfully amassed wealth.
  • PARGO must have access, inter alia, to the records of the Presidential Anti-graft Committee created by Executive Order No. 378 (February 18, 1960) and abolished by Executive Order No. 457 (December 20, 1961), with those records being in the custody of the National Bureau of Investigation.
  • PARGO must make and submit a regular report on the overall conduct and performance of reforms and remedies intended to improve the administration of government or its essential services and operations.
  • PARGO must conduct seminars and educational campaigns in government offices and, wherever possible, in communities to instill proper spiritual and moral values as the foundation of enduring national vitality, strength, and character.
  • PARGO must receive and evaluate and conduct fact-finding investigations of sworn complaints against the acts, conduct, or behavior of any public official or employee.
  • PARGO must perform other duties and functions the President may direct from time to time.

Investigating powers and authority to compel evidence

  • PARGO is vested with all powers of an investigating committee under Sections 71 and 580 of the Revised Administrative Code.
  • PARGO has the power to summon witnesses by subpoena or subpoenae duces tecum.
  • PARGO may administer oaths.
  • PARGO may take testimony or evidence relevant to the investigation.

Coverage and cooperation requirements

  • The Order directs that all departments, bureaus, offices, agencies, and instrumentalities of the national government, including government-owned or controlled corporations, and provincial, city, and municipal governments must cooperate with and assist PARGO to effect prompt and successful accomplishment of its assigned duties.

Abolition of predecessor and transfer of resources

  • The Presidential Anti-graft Committee created by Executive Order No. 4 dated January 18, 1962 is hereby abolished.
  • Its personnel, records, properties, equipment, unexpended balance of appropriations, and pending work must be transferred and turned over to PARGO.
  • Personnel not retained must be returned to their mother offices or entities if they are on detail; otherwise, they must be granted gratuity equivalent to one month salary for every year of continuous satisfactory service in the government but not exceeding twelve months, based on the highest salary received.
  • If an official or employee is entitled to gratuity under any retirement law, the person must select either that retirement-law gratuity or the gratuity under the Order’s rule.
  • If an official or employee is reinstated in government service, the person must refund to the National Government the unexpired portion of the gratuity.

Duration and implementation directive

  • The Order requires immediate operational effect by stating that it takes effect immediately.

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