Attached is the letter^* dated September 4, 1999 of Director Aurora T. Aquino, Office of the President endorsing a copy of the Memorandum of the President of the Philippines dated August 27, 1999 on the subject "INTENSIFIED DRIVE AGAINST GRAFT AND CORRUPTION IN THE BUREAU OF CUSTOMS AND THE BUREAU OF INTERNAL REVENUE."

For your information and guidance.

Adopted: 15 Sept. 1999

(SGD.) JULITA S. MANAHAN
Deputy Commissioner
Internal Administration Group

MEMORANDUM FROM THE PRESIDENT

Intensified Drive Against Graft And Corruption In The Bureau Of Customs And The Bureau Of Internal Revenue
The continued operation of smugglers, grafters, and crooks in and out of government has long impaired our efforts to collect revenues and constrained our campaign to eradicate poverty. In particular, scalawags in our revenue collecting agencies have been depriving government of resources that should have gone to pro-poor programs.

In view thereof and in line with the Administration's thrust to eliminate graft and corruption, you are hereby directed to wage a massive and sustained campaign to rid the Bureau of Customs and Bureau of Internal Revenue of scalawags. In this regard, you are further directed to gather enough evidence and build a strong legal case against economic saboteurs pursuant to proper legal procedures.

Submit a status report on the matter to my Office, through the Head, Presidential Management Staff, not later than 30 September 1999 and every month thereafter.

For compliance.

Adopted: 27 August 1999

(SGD.) JOSEPH EJERCITO ESTRADA
President

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^* Text Available at Office of the National Administrative Register, U.P. Law Complex, Diliman, Quezon City.