ANGARA SPEAKS AT TIMOR LESTE ANTI-CORRUPTION CONFERENCE

DILI, TIMOR LESTE - Senator Edgardo J. Angara today said the first step to achieving political and economic success is good governance and strong public institutions, and emphasized international collaboration in fighting corruption.

Speaking at the Conference on the National Network on Anti-Corruption in Timor Leste (NAC-TL) upon the invitation of the Parliament of Timor Leste, Angara said "transparency of action, accountability for results, and the rule of law form the elements of good governance, which is the foundation of a modern state. Without strong institutions in place, an economic system cannot work well, let alone achieve its full potential for progress and prosperity."

He added, "achieving good governance and fighting corruption can be helped by building networks among institutions. International cooperation is an important ingredient. Just as corruption transcends borders, so too must we fight it on a transnational level."

Angara was the driving force behind the establishment of the South East Asia Parlimentarians Against Corruption (SEAPAC) and is a member of the Executive Board of the Ottawa, Canada-based Global Organization of Parliamentarians Against Corruption (GOPAC).

The SEAPAC was formed to lead the regional anti-corruption effort in Southeast Asian countries on a coordinated and institutional basis. Parlimentarian-members from Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam and the Philippines compose the membership of SEAPAC.

SEAPAC's goal is to strengthen its network of parliamentarians, map out legislation, and document good practices in the region in order to use them as tools for reform.

"Collaboration among countries in the region enhances a nation's own efforts to fight corruption," he said.

The Timor Leste conference will initiate the establishment of a national network of stakeholders to fight corruption in the new independent state, and the subsequent drafting of a law on anti-corruption for Timor-Leste.

The conference, organized by the National Parliament of Timor Leste, is attended by international leaders including current and former heads of states, members of the civil society, cabinet ministers and representatives from the religious sector.

Angara was the sponsor in the Senate of the landmark law on government procurement which radically overhauled the rules of bidding and awards in the public sector, and now stands as the country's biggest anti-corruption law.

The law provides adequate safeguards to protect public money and it incorporated features of modern technology into the law to boost the safeguards.

Angara also established the Ombudsman's Office and led the ratification of the UN Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC) by the Philippine Senate.

Angara also met with Filipino community leaders based in Timor Leste, as well as keynoted the Philippine UN Contingent's Medal Parade and Pinning of UN Service Medal in honor of our Philippine National Police (PNP) contingent and peacekeepers in Timor Leste.