A photo of a "personalized" bridge contributed to PPTRP

Since our launch on March 23 you have been in constant contact with us, sending us photos, tip-offs, allegations and requests for us to follow up stories and issues.

You have sent us a variety of photos – some showing private use of government vehicles (those with red license plates) and others showing bridges advertising the names of public officials. Parties supporting one election candidate in Mindanao have publicly threatened to report to us other candidates they claim are abusing public projects. We have received requests from a government employee to investigate every public project awarded in excess of PhP 1 million (a huge endeavor) and other requests to investigate the wealth of officials who live in a specific tower block in Makati. We have been asked to investigate the wealth of a mayor in Ilocos Norte and public projects in Davao del Sur. We have received reports and requests to look into alleged over taxation in Muntinlupa as well as detailed allegations against a senior police officer with regard to overseas contracts surrounding electronic surveillance systems.

It is important to make clear that these are allegations only and we cannot go into more detail here. Allegations are not facts and are not necessarily true. People can make allegations for the best and worst of reasons and we must remember that people are innocent unless proven otherwise. But with your help we are keeping a watch and we will investigate everything we can. The more information you can provide, the easier our work will be. We will always keep the identities of our sources confidential.

As a result of international media coverage we have received two separate requests from Cambodia to set up a similar project there (naturally we have more than enough to be focusing upon right here and right now). We have even received our first anti corruption poem sent in by one of many well-wishers. We presently have 400 members on our two new Facebook pages and more and more people joining our two online petitions. Thank you for your interest and please keep sending in your ideas, comments and TIP-OFFS. Now with the website launched, the work really starts and you can all really help us live up to expectations. Alongside our regional trainings, we will be looking to set up local groups in time to look into local procurement issues. Let us know if you are interested in helping to set one up and want advice on how to go about it.

We especially want to hear from people in government and in the civil service. Remember, this is not an anti-government project – this is all about encouraging and celebrating good government: We are just against secrecy and corruption. Where government works and is transparent and accountable please help us to highlight it.

Get involved. Work together. Pera natin ‘to!