The days of corrupt government officials and employees are now numbered through hotline numbers 16565 and 0908-8816565.

The Office of Senator Bam Aquino (OSBA) and concerned government agencies and private groups have joined forces to form WASAK or the “Walang Asenso sa Kotong” campaign where small businessmen can air their complaints and other issues against government agencies.

“Our office’s main advocacy is to fight poverty and unemployment through entrepreneurship. However, our small businesses have become milking cows for crooked government employees and private individuals,” said Aquino, chairman of the Committee on Trade, Commerce and Entrepreneurship.

The launching of the hotline was held at the Civil Service Commission (CSC) in Quezon City.  It was attended bySen. Aquino, CSC Chair Francis Duque and COO Donald Dee of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Other partners of the campaign include the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Justice (DOJ), Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Bantay.ph and the National Competiveness Council (NCC).

“This hotline gives the micro and small entrepreneurs an avenue to air their complaints and other issues against illegal practices such as graft and corruption, red tape and extortion that are detrimental to their growth,” the senator added.

Aquino said graft and corruption in government must stop because it drives away potential entrepreneurs and other investors and prevents existing businesses from expanding.

The CCB is a platform for citizens to forward their complaints on red tape, kotong and tongpats, and under-the-table incidents through text messages, email and phone calls.

“The hotline also provides an avenue where complaints and issues are resolved in an effective and timely manner. Now, entrepreneurs have a dependable ally in Wasak,” stressed Aquino.

Wasak also seeks to provide developmental advice for micro and small entrepreneurs regarding product development, marketing, business growth and financial management.