Several PH diplomats, personnel abroad being probed for corruption

Several diplomats and personnel of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) posted abroad, including ranking ones, are being investigated and have been recalled for alleged financial irregularities and misuse of public funds, DFA Secretary Theresa Lazaro disclosed to GMA News Online Friday.

Vowing a zero-tolerance policy for corruption, Lazaro has pledged to combat such illegal acts in her agency by enforcing stricter internal safeguards and regulations. She warned would-be violators of potential administrative and criminal lawsuits as well as dismissal from the service.

She did not disclose the identities of the diplomats and DFA employees that were the subject of ongoing investigation.

"There are other situations whereby some personnel have sort of committed lapse or gaps in their financial transactions and that has been the subject of scrutiny and also to the point of recalling some officials because of the laws and regulations on this issue that involves funds were violated," Lazaro told GMA News Online in a one-on-one interview.

"I cannot be very specific because it is still undergoing further discussions, but it is my view that if an official or any personnel of the Department of Foreign Affairs has violated fiscal regulations basically, then that should be the subject of thorough investigation and, further on, file the appropriate case against them," she added.

Since she was appointed by President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. to lead the DFA in July 2025, Lazaro said "fiscal prudence" has been one of her core policies in the DFA.

"I emphasized fiscal prudence and that was as early as July," Lazaro said, adding that she put in place stronger internal safeguards against all kinds of anomalies in the DFA even before the flood control scandal came out in the open last year.

Lazaro served as the DFA's Undersecretary for Policy, the second-highest post in the department, until she was appointed to replace Enrique Manalo as the country's top diplomat.

"It is a basic principle that I was conveying to my colleagues that we have to practice this. It is very important because we have to help the country with all the problems. And there was no flood control issue at the time yet. So, I said, we have to exercise fiscal prudence."

A few months into her term, Lazaro said she and her key oversight staff uncovered "some gaps and lapses" in the financial transactions of some Filipino diplomats serving in Philippine diplomatic posts abroad. 

She initiated investigations, sending small delegations to quietly look into reported irregularities in concerned embassies and consulates abroad.

"I've been very strict in implementing the rules and regulations to the point that I am recalling some of those officials who have, I think, not exercised and violated existing laws as well as regulations. That is how strict I am because we have to implement this to the fullest," she said.

The DFA has been one of the few government agencies that has not faced a major financial scandal. 

The multi-billion flood control anomalies became a major national concern that has pre-occupied Marcos since he raised alarm over the irregularities in his fourth annual State of the Nation address before congressmen and senators in the House of Representatives in late July last year.

In response to the President's fight against corruption, Lazaro said she has introduced several reforms and strengthened safeguards at the DFA, particularly in procurement procedures. Internal memos calling for additional safeguards and more austere usage of government funds have been issued in the DFA offices in the country and abroad.

"We have to always re-tool our people," she said. 

"Re-tooling them in the sense that there's many new rules now on procurement, on budget, as well as fiscal issues, as well as our administrative officers and property officers," the DFA chief said.

Lazaro explained that unlike before, property officers are now being given a lot of responsibility, particularly those who are posted abroad.

Meanwhile, Lazaro said international development assistance to the Philippines has not been affected by the flood control corruption scandal, adding that many countries are "even very eager to continue their trade and investments, and to continue their development cooperation."

Lazaro said she continues to sign exchanges of notes for grants as well as overseas development aid from foreign governments intended for the Philippines under Marcos.

"No one canceled any grant. Not so far. Not that I know of. In fact, there are still many," Lazaro said. 

"For me, this is an indication that they still think that the Philippines is a very important partner," she said.

Since the flood control anomalies came under intense spotlight and investigations by Congress and the fact-finding Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI), several engineers and officials, former and incumbent, of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and owners of construction companies have been indicted on corruption and malversation charges and detained for trial. 

Several anti-corruption groups and Roman Catholic church leaders, however, have expressed frustration that influential members of the House and Senate, who have been implicated in the anomalies, have continued to evade indictments and detention although Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla has hinted that influential politicians may soon face indictment.

"We have the judicial process. We have the investigation process. So that, for me, is the fact that it's moving, it's working. We continue with our relations, that's why development cooperation continues." — VDV, GMA Integrated News