South Cotabato, Philippines – The Provincial Government of South Cotabato, through the South Cotabato Integrity Circle (SCIC), is set to establish a provincial anti-corruption body as part of its commitment to a cleaner and more transparent government.
The initiative is in response to Governor Reynaldo S. Tamayo Jr.’s call for transparent and accountable governance and stems from the province’s continuing efforts under the Open Government Partnership–Local (OGP-local) co-creation action plan.
The proposed anti-corruption body aims to address issues of transparency in government transactions, particularly in the areas of bidding processes and project implementation.
Governor Tamayo reaffirmed his commitment to fighting corruption, saying:
“We [public officials] made a solemn vow to protect and uphold the interest and welfare of our people and be guardians of government funds to make sure that they are best used for the benefit of a larger constituent.”
With the recent national developments on anomalous infrastructure projects, the SCIC emphasized the urgency of creating a participatory and effective local anti-corruption mechanism. The group plans to finalize the framework of the provincial body after sectoral consultations and meetings, with the selection of members targeted for 2026.
Beyond anti-corruption measures, the SCIC continues to pursue action plans focused on strengthening access to information, promoting climate and environmental action, encouraging public participation in governance, and advancing digital governance in the province.
