Wanted: a corruption watchdog with teeth

Barrington Flemming, Gleaner Writer

WESTERN BUREAU:

Former People's National Party (PNP) vice-president and current campaign director, Dr Peter Phillips, has called for the establishment of an anti-corruption agency to replace what he called the ineffective Parliamentary Integrity Commission (PIC) and the Corruption Prevention Commission.

Phillips, who was addressing the Christmas dinner of the University of the West Indies, Mona - Western Jamaica campus, at The Wexford Hotel in Montego Bay Saturday evening, questioned the purpose of the PIC.

"There has never been a prosecution of one single person, despite the rumours, despite the smoke that abounds, despite the obvious accumulation of wealth that is unexplained by the level of salary that is received from the public purse. No wonder these agencies are not taken seriously by the people of the country," Phillips said.

Established in 1973, the PIC is empowered to keep a check on the assets and liabilities of parliamentarians. MPs who fail to make declarations to the PIC may face criminal charges.

Two weeks ago, Prime Minister Bruce Golding, in a jab at the director of public prosecutions, questioned why cases have not been brought against seven MPs who had not furnished the PIC with returns as prescribed by law. He said the State must make an example of MPs who flout the law.

Failed agency

Meanwhile, Phillips also raised questions about the Corruption Prevention Commission, arguing that the agency had seemingly failed to fulfil its mandate.

"This agency has existed for years, where persons who work and are supported by the public purse, whether in law enforcement or the civil service, have accumulated massive resources that people talk about on verandas, and there are whisperings and writings in the 'suss' columns in the newspapers, and yet not a single prosecution or investigation has come to light," Phillips said.

"I believe it is important that we establish a single anti-corruption agency with prosecutorial powers. This would be an agency, which would amalgamate the current Office of the Contractor General, the Corruption Prevention Commission and the Parliamentary Integrity Commission."

"What is critical is that this agency has independent investigative staff with prosecutorial powers extended if necessary by fiat from the director of public prosecutions," he added.

Contractor General Greg Christie has used the latest annual report of the Office of the Contractor General to repeat his call for the establishment of an independent national anti-corruption agency and a special corruption court.

barrington.flemming@gleanerjm.com