INSTITUTE OF PUBLIC CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

The Institute of Public Corporate Governance (IPCG) is an office attached to the Office of the Government Corporate Counsel (OGCC) of the Department of Justice, dedicated to fulfilling Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s thrust for a strong Philippine Republic, through the promotion of government accountability and transparency, and the pursuit of relevance in today’s global environment. OGCC-IPCG implements in part Pres. Arroyo’s Memorandum dated 10 April 2007 entitled “Furthering Good Corporate Governance in GOCC’s and GFI’s.” This Memorandum requires directors and trustees of GOCC’s to attend orientation seminars on corporate governance.

Working closely with its partner-government owned and controlled corporations and government instrumentalities (collectively referred to as “government corporations”), OGCC-IPCG has five (5) core program areas.

I. GOOD CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

The OGCC-IPCG, in collaboration with the Department of Finance, shall institutionalize good corporate governance practices of government corporations, which aims to: (a) facilitate the implementation of the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC), to which the Philippines is a signatory, through the implementation of a Model Code of Corporate Governance for government corporations; (b) assist government corporations in the development and implementation of their own Codes of Corporate Governance; (c) install policies that will prevent corruption and foster transparency, accountability, fairness and responsibility in government corporations; and (d) implement, in cooperation with partner organizations, effective mechanisms to monitor and evaluate legal compliance by government corporations with corporate governance requirements.

The OGCC-IPCG published and distributed the Model Code of Corporate Governance in October 2008. It encourages government corporations to adopt the same.

II. CONTINUING EDUCATION PROGRAMS

The OGCC-IPCG shall serve as the continuing education provider for officers, members of governing boards and lawyers of government corporations by providing quality programs and products. It will work closely with experts from both the private and the public sectors in developing programs and products in a variety of delivery formats.

The OGCC-IPCG produces high-quality continuing education seminars held at live locations throughout the country. These conferences use a combination of lectures and workshops to present valuable information to its participants. In addition to the instruction offered, these seminars provide a unique networking opportunity for officers, lawyers and faculty who practice in the same or related field.

The OGCC-IPCG held its first series of Mandatory Continuing Legal Education (MCLE) seminars for OGCC and government corporation lawyers on October 21-24, 2008 at the UP Diliman College of Science Auditorium. It thereafter held its second MCLE seminars on November 18-21, 2008 at the IBP Multi Purpose Hall.

III. PUBLICATION

The OGCC-IPCG publishes journals, newsletters, and utilizes other forms of media in order to keep government corporations informed of the developments relating to its practice.

The OGCC-IPCG has published and distributed two volumes of The IPCG Journal, the Model Code of Corporate Governance, the Compendium of Laws and Issuances relative to the OGCC and government corporations, and the Handbook on Joint Ventures.

IV. RESEARCH FUND

A research fund was established by the OGCC-IPCG, which is employed to finance and support research initiatives by the OGCC and government corporation lawyers. A portion of the fund shall be used to reward exemplary research papers. Contributions from donor agencies, national government agencies, government corporations, and the private sector will be solicited to maintain the fund.

The Project Research Fund of the OGCC-IPCG has given monetary awards to authors of exemplary research papers, whose papers were published in the first and second journals of the OGCC-IPCG. The next set of awardees, whose papers shall be published in the third journal, which is now known as the Policy and Research for Government Corporations (PReGC), shall be announced during the OGCC/Government Corporation week in December 2008.

V. LEGISLATIVE INITIATIVES

In line with the OGCC’s pro-active and dynamic approach in the execution of its mandate, the OGCC, through the IPCG, shall draft and propose legislation, comment on, and critique pending bills in Congress which may impact its practice and client-partners.