Creating the National Secretariat for Integrity and Transparency (SENIT) (PY0071)

Brief description of the commitment: Submit a bill "Creating the National Secretariat for Integrity and Transparency (SENIT)" to the National Congress.

What is the problem that the engagement seeks to address? The National Anticorruption Secretariat (SENAC) was created by Executive Decree No. 10,144 of 2012, which was followed by another amending Decree that expanded the powers of this Secretariat. According to the decrees, it is an institution under the Presidency of the Republic of Paraguay, responsible for developing, promoting and implementing public policies on transparency, integrity and anti-corruption, whose scope of application are those State Agencies and Entities (OEE) under the Executive Branch, as well as those institutions outside the Executive Branch that have signed an agreement with SENAC. Likewise, SENAC is entrusted with coordinating and articulating all these measures with all sectors of society, in the understanding that the fight against corruption is approached in a systemic manner. The lack of a legal norm creating SENAC and containing its powers and attributions generates a lack of involvement of the other OEEs and other sectors of society that are relevant in the fight against corruption to achieve better and sustainable results.

What is the commitment? To present the bill that will have as its main purpose that the National Secretariat for Integrity and Transparency (SENIT) replaces the National Anticorruption Secretariat (SENAC) as the guiding institution responsible for elaborating, promoting and implementing public policies of transparency, integrity and the fight against corruption in the agencies of the Executive Branch, the central administration of the State, the entities of the decentralized public administration, public companies and joint ventures, and to corporations in which the State is a majority shareholder. The patrimony, assets, and financial resources, as well as the personnel of SENAC will belong to SENIT.

How will you contribute to solving the problem? The projected regulations contemplate all the powers and functions in the fight against corruption, whether for prevention or management of complaints, the use of digital tools, as well as the need to coordinate policies with other government agencies and entities and the power to enter into cooperation agreements.

Why is it relevant to OGP values? Accountability is part of one of the schemes already addressed by SENAC within the framework of the fight against corruption and as a mechanism for citizen participation par excellence. The bill establishes the following roles and powers of SENIT: Promote awareness and citizen participation actions. Promote prevention and compliance actions in the private sector.

Additional information The proposed Commitment is linked to the following Plans: National Development Plan Paraguay 2030 - PND 2030 Strategic Axis Transversal lines AXIS 4. POLITICAL AND INSTITUTIONAL STRENGTHENING B- EFFICIENT AND TRANSPARENT PUBLIC MANAGEMENT 4.2. Modernizing Public Administration NDP 2030 Institutional Policy Program and Project National Integrity, Transparency and Anticorruption Plan 2021-2025 AXIS 1: PREVENTIVE CAPACITY OF THE STATE IN THE FACE OF ACTS OF CORRUPTION STRATEGY 2.7 - Consolidate the internal control system (MECIP) in each of the State Agencies and Entities. 72. Promote regulations that establish criteria of suitability and integrity to occupy positions of responsibility. Sustainable Development Goal 2030 - SDG 2030 SDG16. PEACE, JUSTICE, AND STRONG INSTITUTIONS SDG17. PARTNERSHIPS TO ACHIEVE THE GOALS

Goals and/or major milestones (Milestones with verifiable date | Start Date - Final Date)

Presentation of the draft bill by SENAC to the Presidency of the Republic. | December 2022 - February 2023

Submission to Congress of the bill by the Presidency of the Republic in accordance with its power of legislative initiative. Start of the open parliament procedure. | February 2023 - August 2023