Some people are calling themselves the “Philippine Anti-Corruption Czar ( PACC) ” and are acting like they have the power to investigate corruption. We want to make it very clear: they are not part of the government and have no legal authority to do what real government agencies do.
In the Philippines, it is illegal to pretend to be a government official or to act like one without permission. Doing so is called usurpation of authority and can get you in serious legal trouble. Courts have ruled that even if someone claims they are “helping the public,” falsely acting as an official is still against the law.
If you are approached by this group, or if they ask for information, favors, or money, do not cooperate. Only authorized government offices like the Ombudsman, the Commission on Audit, or proper law enforcement agencies can conduct investigations.
Please be careful and always check if a group is officially recognized by the government before trusting them.
Concern Citizens of Davao
