By Sunday Punch
The Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, formally known as the Committee on Accountability of Public Officers and Investigations, under the leadership of its first female chairperson capped 2024 with landmark accomplishments.
The committee addressed issues related to health, national security, fraudulent documentation, and sports integrity, demonstrating its commitment to transparency and accountability.
Focus on health reforms and tobacco control
In February and April, the committee investigated the Philippine delegation to the 10th World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) Conference of Parties (COP10).
The delegation which included ‘tobacco advocates’ were investigated for their supposed failure to defend the country’s health interests, and forwarded the tobacco industry’s gains instead.
This fiasco earned the Philippines its fifth “Dirty Ashtray Award,” a mock award for its recipient-country’s notoriety in advancing the tobacco industry over public health.
Cayetano criticized the 34-member delegation for delaying key provisions requiring the testing and disclosure of tobacco product contents.
The hearings highlighted lapses in ensuring top government officials’ attendance at critical health-related events. The chairperson emphasized the need for stronger advocacy on behalf of the country’s health priorities, especially by officials like the Health Department Secretary. The committee also called for the prompt implementation of regulations requiring the testing and disclosure of tobacco product contents.
Crackdown on fraudulent documents
The committee held hearings in March and August, uncovering widespread fraud involving fake birth certificates, passports, and other government-issued documents used by foreign nationals. An investigation revealed that 54 out of 1,501 suspicious birth certificates in Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur, had fraudulent entries, with evidence of organized document falsification.
Similar fraudulent activities were reported in the cities of Manila, Caloocan, Quezon, Pasay, and Pasig, with these areas identified as hotspots for such schemes. The chairperson described the activities as a “sale of Philippine citizenship,” raising concerns about their implications for national security and the credibility of official documents. The committee stressed the impact of fake passports on overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), whose livelihoods rely on the integrity of these documents.
“It is the State’s duty to protect and maintain the integrity and credibility of passports and travel documents,” Senator Pia said.
Ensuring compliance in sports governance
The committee also acted on issues of noncompliance with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Code by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC). This oversight risked Filipino athletes’ eligibility to compete in international events, including the Olympics.
Following the committee’s intervention, the PSC rectified the issues and reported full compliance, safeguarding the rights and opportunities of Filipino athletes.
Commitment to accountability
The Senate Blue Ribbon Committee’s work in 2024 exhibited its chairperson and members’ dedication to addressing systemic issues and protecting public interest. Through rigorous investigations and decisive actions, the committee sought to strengthen public trust in government institutions and uphold the rule of law.
