Public shaming system under review as government reviews Integrity Commission Act

The Government is targeting individuals who refuse to honestly declare their assets through a comprehensive review of the Integrity Commission Act.

That’s according to Parliamentary Affairs and Governance Minister Gail Teixeira, who explained that the law, which has been in place since 1997, requires stronger accountability measures.

“When we look at the Integrity Commission Act… people feel they can disobey (it and) the situation is changing,” the minister said on Tuesday during an anti-corruption seminar with representatives of the private sector.

Some key weaknesses have already been identified, she said. For example, the law would establish formal guidelines for electronic filings and implement advanced cybersecurity technologies to protect uploaded data.

“The simple amendment we are making is that you are now reporting from June to June, which is very inconvenient for filers. So, one of the amendments we are making to make things easier for declarants is to indicate the financial calendar year. It is proposed to report simultaneously with the payment of income tax,” the minister further said.

In addition, the government plans to strengthen some elements of the reporting mechanism and is considering stricter penalties for those who do not comply.

“The bullshit, as they say, is on people who hold public office and refuse to declare and honestly declare their assets,” she said.

The system of public shaming is also considered. Minister Teixeira suggested that publishing the names of those who did not come forward could encourage compliance. However, she acknowledged that this mechanism may not be effective in all cases.

“We hope that this will be introduced into parliament before the end of the year,” she confirmed.

The Integrity Commission Act was passed in 1997 to promote transparency and accountability in public life. It establishes the Integrity Commission, an independent body responsible for overseeing and enforcing the Act.

The law aims to curb corruption, increase public trust and promote good governance.

This review is part of a broader set of measures being implemented to combat corruption in all its forms. The government has already signed and ratified many international instruments to demonstrate its commitment to this cause. (DPI)

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