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

46 Managing Conflict of Interestand establishing a more centralized approach to protecting whistleblowersin the Republic of Korea.Pelagio Apostol, Deputy Ombudsman for Visayas with the Officeof the Ombudsman in the Philippines, and Arief T. Surowidjojo, alawyer practicing in Indonesia, indicate that despite their countries’long legislative histories aimed at curbing corruption in the publicsector, challenges still remain to adequately enforce COI provisions.They observe similar gaps between legislation and enforcement,highlighting the ongoing challenge to effectively implement legislationon a concept that is not well understood. Surowidjojo notesthat many conflicts are not intentional and in many cases are nottechnically illegal, contending that COI occurs in Indonesia in theabsence of laws and policies that would specify what constitutes aCOI or because management frameworks and enforcement mechanismsare not in place to help prevent such conflicts.Both countries have made efforts to address these challenges.The Philippines has recently established a tracking and monitoringsystem to improve its ability to address complaints filed through theasset disclosure and declaration system. In 2002, Indonesia passed alaw that established the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK),which has a mandate to prevent and repress corruption.In examining these experiences—no matter how different theymay be—the aim is to identify common ground and new strategiesfor addressing COI. These examples provide insight on both goodpractices being developed and remaining challenges, which mayrequire alternative solutions.ADB/OECD Anti-Corruption Initiative for Asia and the Pacific