U.S. Gives $21-M Grant To Philippines To Fight Corruption
Komfie Manalo - All Headline News Foreign Correspondent Manila, Philippines (AHN) - Officials from the U.S. and the Philippines signed an agreement late Wednesday granting Manila a $21 million grant to bolster its fight against corruption. Finance Secretary Margarito Teves of the Philippines said the grant was extended through the US government's Millennium Challenge Corporation. The bulk of the fund will be channeled to the office of the Ombudsman over the next two years. The ombudsman is a special prosecutor for criminal cases involving government officials, and the finance department. He said the program will be regularly monitored by Philippine and U.S. officials and will focus on minimizing corruption, particularly in key financial agencies like the bureau of customs and internal revenue. The finance chief, who signed the agreement for the Philippines said the U.S. has promised to increase the assistance to $200 million if the program is successful. He said, "If we do well, then me might have a chance to graduate to the next level."
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