The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) on Tuesday vowed to hold accountable six alleged "ghost employees" believed to have received salaries without reporting to the central bank office, while committing to uphold the integrity and professionalism in the organization,
The central bank issued the statement reports surfaced that four employees in the offices of two Monetary Board (MB) were involved, but added the irregularity "seemed unprecedented," adding the bank would "ensure that any erring employee will be held accountable."
"In October 2023, the Office of the General Counsel triggered an investigation after receiving credible information that several staffers in the offices of two MB members had not been reporting for work for extended periods but were nonetheless receiving their salaries," the BSP said.
"The irregularities appear unprecedented in an organization that upholds integrity and professionalism at all levels. The BSP remains committed to upholding that," it added.
According to the BSP, the Office of the General Counsel received an initial investigation report and instructed the investigating team to proceed with an in-depth probe in December.
In January, the investigating team submitted the final investigation report, which identified four employees and their two immediate supervisors. The Office of the General Counsel signed the report.
The BSP said that four employees and one direct supervisor in the report tendered their resignation from late February to early March.
Administrative disciplinary cases were also filed in March before the effectiveness of their separation.
"As BSP has stated since the first media reports on the issue on May 10, because the administrative disciplinary proceedings are ongoing, further information about them may be confidential," the central bank said.
The BSP assured that the Monetary Board has functioned as usual.
"In response to speculation that vacancies may occur that would affect the board's operations, the seven-member board can continue to perform most of its duties provided there is a four-member quorum and the rest of its duties such as granting emergency loans, with five members. We are constrained from commenting further on the Monetary Board members because they are presidential appointees," the BSP said.
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