Memorandum Circular No. 175May 22, 2009Presidential Issuances

Memorandum Circular No. 175, issued on May 22, 2009, directs all Cabinet members and heads of various government agencies, including GOCCs, GFIs, SUCs, and LGUs, to actively participate in the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC) Summit. The Philippines, having ratified the UNCAC in November 2006, is required to undergo a compliance review to assess its implementation of the convention. The Multi-Sectoral Anti-Corruption Council (MSACC) has conducted a self-assessment and developed an Implementation Roadmap, which will be presented at the Summit on May 27, 2009. During this event, a Covenant to execute the Roadmap will be signed by government leaders, emphasizing the commitment to anti-corruption efforts. All relevant officials are instructed to support the Summit, including allocating necessary funds.

May 22, 2009

MEMORANDUM CIRCULAR NO. 175

DIRECTING ALL CABINET MEMBERS AND HEADS OF THEIR ATTACHED AGENCIES INCLUDING GOVERNMENT OWNED OR CONTROLLED CORPORATIONS (GOCCs), GOVERNMENT FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS (GFIs), STATE UNIVERSITIES AND COLLEGES (SUCs), AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS (LGUs) TO ACTIVELY PARTICIPATE IN THE UNITED NATIONS CONVENTION AGAINST CORRUPTION (UNCAC) SUMMIT

The Philippines is a signatory to the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC) which was ratified by the Philippine Senate in November 2006.

As a state party to the UNCAC and as part of its commitments to the 1st and 2nd Conference of State Parties (COSP), the Philippines is mandated to comply with its compliance review on the implementation of the UNCAC in the country.

The Multi-Sectoral Anti-Corruption Council (MSACC) led by the Office of the Ombudsman, and composed of the three branches of government, constitutional bodies, government financial institutions, academe, media, business, youth, inter-faith groups, non-government organizations and civil society organizations, as members, conducted a self-assessment on Philippine compliance with the UNCAC. TAaHIE

The Philippine Self-Assessment Report which is the result of the gap analysis conducted by the MSACC on the country's compliance with the UNCAC, as well as the Implementation Roadmap will be formally presented in the UNCAC Summit which will be hosted by the MSACC on May 27, 2009, 8:00 A.M.-12:00 noon at Meeting Rooms 3 & 4, Philippine International Convention Center (PICC), Roxas Blvd., Pasay City.

During the Summit, a Covenant to faithfully execute the Roadmap will likewise be signed by the Heads of the three branches of the government in the presence of MSACC's development partners and the diplomatic community.

Relative thereto, all Cabinet Members and Heads of their attached agencies including Government-Owned and Controlled Corporations, Government Financial Institutions, State Universities and Colleges, and Local Government Units are hereby directed to actively participate and give full support including the disbursements of funds from their respective budgets for the success of the UNCAC Summit.

For strict compliance. EHaASD

Manila, May 22, 2009.