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Acting Ombudsman Casimiro forms SMART!
19 July 2011, source: Ombudsman Website

Acting Ombudsman Orlando Casimiro has spearheaded the creation of a “superbody” which will examine and investigate contracts and transactions entered into by government agencies.
          Dubbed the Special Multi-Agency Reform Team (SMART), the group shall be composed of representatives from the Office of the Ombudsman, the Commission on Audit (COA), the Department of Justice (DOJ), National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) and the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR).
          The objective of the Team is to examine and investigate contracts and transactions entered into by government agencies through their respective officials and employees with the end view of expediting the prosecution of all perpetrators of corrupt activities, should the evidence so warrant.
          Its creation is aimed towards the realization of the Ombudsman’s mandate to take effective measures against graft and corruption, and in the exercise of its powers, functions and duties, thus giving life to the President’s mandate of Daang Matuwid. 
            Sec. 15 (4) of RA 6770 (Ombudsman Act of 1989) mandates the Office of the Ombudsman to “direct the officer concerned, in any appropriate case, and subject to such limitations as it may provide in its rules and procedure, to furnish it with copies of documents relating to contracts or transactions entered into by his office involving the disbursement or use of public funds or properties, and report any irregularity to the Commission on Audit for appropriate action”.
          Likewise, Sec. 15 (5) of the said law provides that the Office has the power to request any government agency for assistance and information and to examine pertinent records and documents in the discharge of its functions.
          In a Memorandum Circular, Acting Ombudsman Casimiro has requested the institutional participation, assistance and cooperation of the five agencies in the undertaking of this “superbody”.
          He also directed the Team to meet at the soonest possible time to discuss its plan of action and to immediately implement the same.

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