POE TO IMPLEMENT 'ONE-STRIKE POLICY' VS CORRUPT OFFICIALS

IPIL, ZAMBOANGA SIBUGAY--She may be running under the banner of "Gobyernong may Puso," but Sen. Grace Poe would have no heart for corrupt officials in government, if she is elected.

Poe, who is leading the presidential race, vowed to implement a one-strike policy against corrupt government personnel, saying those who will be found guilty of corruption or involvement in anomalies must be held accountable and imprisoned, if necessary.

"Kapag nagkasala sila, dapat ay mabilis ang (paglilitis sa) kanilang kaso at makulong sila. Kasi iyan ang nagsisilbing ehemplo. Kapag hindi iyan makukulong at nakalusot iyan, e mas marami ang lalakas ang loob na magnakaw at gumawa ng katiwalian," Poe said in a press conference in the municipality of Ipil.

Poe, who said she would appoint to her Cabinet people with integrity and competence, stressed her administration will not tolerate officials who cannot be examples of good governance.

"Kapag nagkamali ang sinuman sa gobyerno, naniniwala ako, government officials, pulis o anuman kapag malakas ang kaso 'one strike out' dapat kapag napatunayan. Sapagkat ikaw nga ang sandalan at dinedependahan, nakadepende sayo ang mga tao. Paano sila dedepende sayo kung alam nila ikaw mismo ay kasangkot sa isang anomaly?" she said.

Poe, whose public service record remains unblemished by any corruption issues, also reiterated the need to immediately pass the Freedom of Information bill to enhance fiscal transparency in government.

The bill, of which Poe was a principal sponsor, was passed by the Senate in March 2014 but is still awaiting second reading at the House of Representatives. It is not likely to pass in the 16th Congress, but Poe said her first executive order, if elected, would be to implement FOI in executive agencies.

"Iyan ay nagbibigay ng armas sa taumbayan at sa media na mabusisi ang mga transaksyon ng gobyerno. Ngayon, kung hihingi kayo ng dokumento sa gobyerno ay aabutin kayo ng siyam-siyam bago kayo makakuha ng kopya ng isang kontrata ng isang project. Kapag may Freedom of Information, dapat automatically uploaded sa internet. O kaya pwede kayong sumangguni sa mga tanggapan para kumuha niyan," Poe said.

Another integral part of Poe's anti-corruption platform is strengthening the Commission on Audit (COA), whom she said lacks the manpower.

"Kailangan talaga natin palakasin ang COA. Importante talaga na ang mga ilalagay natin na tao diyan ay mapagkakatiwalaan natin," she said.

Poe, together with her running mate Sen. Francis Escudero, also vowed to lead by example by going to work early and never stealing from the people. The two are in Zamboanga for the fourth week of their campaign.