THE Department of Justice (DOJ) is preparing to create a new interagency task force aimed at addressing institutional and systemic corruption in several government agencies long perceived to be vulnerable to graft, a well-placed source within the department told The Manila Times.
The source said the initiative is being discussed under the leadership of Justice Secretary Fredderick Vida, who has reportedly directed preliminary talks on forming a coordinated investigative and enforcement body focused not only on individual corruption cases but also on alleged networks operating within key government institutions.
According to the source, discussions included agencies that have previously faced allegations or public scrutiny involving corruption, bribery, regulatory capture, smuggling and illicit facilitation schemes.
Among the agencies mentioned in the internal discussions were the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the Bureau of Customs (BOC).
The source said particular attention may be given to the BOC amid continuing government efforts against smuggling and recurring reports involving the illegal entry of agricultural products and cigarettes despite existing enforcement campaigns.
“The direction is no longer just going after fixers or low-level personnel, but identifying how these systems operate and who protects them,” the source said, speaking on condition of anonymity because the discussions have not yet been made public.
The source added that DOJ leadership is exploring a more centralized anti-corruption framework that would allow prosecutors, intelligence units and law enforcement agencies to coordinate investigations more efficiently.
Initial discussions, according to the source, have included the possible participation of representatives from the National Bureau of Investigation, the Philippine National Police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, the Anti-Money Laundering Council, and other regulatory and enforcement agencies.
The proposed task force may also examine alleged procurement irregularities, revenue leaks, smuggling protection schemes and possible collusion between public officials and private groups, the source said.
No official announcement has yet been made by the DOJ regarding the creation of the task force.
DOJ officials have also not issued a formal statement confirming the discussions.
The development comes amid renewed government calls for stronger anti-corruption measures and tighter monitoring of revenue-generating agencies, particularly those involved in Customs collections, infrastructure spending and regulatory approvals.
The BOC has repeatedly faced allegations and investigations related to corruption and smuggling over the years, particularly involving agricultural commodities, tobacco products and other highly taxed imports.
Meanwhile, the DPWH, BIR and FDA have also periodically faced public scrutiny over alleged irregular transactions, bribery and permit-processing anomalies.
FRANCO JOSE BAROÑA
The source said the proposed body remains in the preparatory and discussion stage, with no final structure or formal mandate yet.
