The Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG) celebrated its 39 years of commitment to serving the Filipino people with transparency and accountability on the 28th of February 2025 at the AFP Commissioned Officers Club House, Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City.

 

With a warm welcome from Commissioner Marco M. Bautista, followed by an uplifting anniversary message from Chairperson Melchor Quirino C. Sadang, the celebration was filled with pride for unwavering service and unfaltering hope for the future of the Commission. Chairperson Sadang shared during his speech that cash recoveries for FY 2024 alone reached ₱2.2 billion, contributing to the total ₱182 billion cash recovered since 1986, exceeding targets and funding critical government programs for agrarian reform and reparation of human rights victims.

 

Commission on Elections (COMELEC) Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia graced the celebration as the guest speaker. During his message, he discussed the commonality of the two Commissions, COMELEC and PCGG, with both mandates anchored in transparency. Chairperson Garcia also emphasized that transparency is the main driving force in winning public trust, which he attributed to PCGG’s 39 fruitful years in service.

 

The PCGG was also honored to receive an inspirational message from Department of Justice (DOJ) Undersecretary Raul T. Vasquez, who reflected on the nearly four decades of relentless commitment and resilience of the PCGG in recovering ill-gotten assets and championing good governance.

 

During the event, the dedication of PCGG employees who reached 20 and 35 years of service to the Commission and those retiring was also recognized, as well as the talents showcased by each PCGG Department, which highlighted the colorful Southeast Asian culture.

 

As Chairperson Sadang shared during his 39th-anniversary speech, “The future of the PCGG is not dissolution, but transformation. We see it evolving into a permanent, independent anti-corruption agency—one that continues its mandate of asset recovery, but with a broader scope to ensure accountability applies to all public officials. At the same time, it must strengthen its role in preventing corruption and safeguarding public resources for future generations.”

 

With a renewed spirit, the Commission continues its fight for good governance – fostering trust and embracing innovation, while upholding the principles of transparency and accountability.