Manila, Dec. 29 -- The Department of Justice (DOJ) on Monday said it would implement more stringent internal financial safeguard mechanisms after an entrapment operation uncovered a scheme by one of its employees to siphon PHP12 million in payroll funds.

"The DOJ takes very seriously the arrest of a DOJ payroll officer in connection with an alleged diversion of public funds," DOJ spokesperson Polo Martinez said in a statement.

"We extend full cooperation to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and other authorities as they pursue the investigation. The DOJ remains committed to transparency, accountability, and the protection of public resources, and will continue to strengthen internal controls to ensure that a similar situation d...