Managing Conflict of Interest - Organisation for Economic Co ...

xiv Managing Conflict of Interestpublic office holders have been strengthened to improve guidanceon expected behavior.In 2002 the Republic of Korea established an Independent CommissionAgainst Corruption (KICAC) to implement new policy measuresto manage COI, including a new code of conduct for publicofficials, revised asset registration and disclosure requirements,restrictions on post-employment of retired public officials, and a blindtrust system. KICAC has also partnered with the police force andthe Board of Audit Inspection to increase transparency and accountabilityoverall, make institutional improvements in corruption-proneareas, improve the management of the public sector, and establish amore centralized approach to protecting whistle-blowers.The Philippines and Indonesia have also made reforms buthave encountered difficulty in meeting new standards of bestpractice in combating corruption. Practitioners in those countrieshighlight the challenges of managing COI including: (i) the lack ofpolitical will; (ii) limited alignment among the political leadership,government agencies, state institutions, and other relevant organizationson COI principles and practices; and (iii) limited awarenessamong public service employees and the general public of whatconstitutes COI.Both countries are addressing these challenges. The Philippineshas established a tracking and monitoring system to betteraddress complaints filed through the asset disclosure and declarationsystem. Indonesia has established the Corruption EradicationCommission (KPK) to prevent and control corruption, through themonitoring of public officials’ wealth and other means.Managing Conflict of Interest: Prevention and Enforcement ToolsPrevailing social, cultural, political, and economic norms affectthe extent to which conflicts—apparent, potential, or real—aredealt with. But while country context may dictate unique perceptions,conditions, and determinants of COI, the challenge to manageCOI is universal.Prevention and enforcement are equally important aspectsof promoting good governance and reducing vulnerability tocorruption. Universal codes of conduct, asset and interest disclosureregimes, and public education and awareness campaigns shouldbe accompanied by sanctions and enforcement mechanisms.ADB/OECD Anti-Corruption Initiative for Asia and the Pacific