Should there be regulations for reporting by phone?

Through discussion and the results of the vote to solicit opinions from National Assembly deputies at the 4th session, many opinions from National Assembly deputies suggested expanding the form of denunciation to suit the development of society, while acknowledging the forms of denunciation that have been stipulated in other laws such as denunciation via email, fax, and telephone.

Concerned about the form of denunciation by phone, Chairman of the Economic Committee Vu Hong Thanh said that in practice, in the locality, people use many "junk SIMs" to call the phone numbers of the authorities, some of which are accurate but also have information like "fake battles" reporting wrong locations to carry out illegal coal mining. Therefore, Mr. Vu Hong Thanh suggested that it is necessary to "keep a trace" for verification and handling.

Expressing the need to expand other forms of denunciation, Head of the People's Petition Committee Nguyen Thanh Hai also suggested considering the form of denunciation via phone. "In terms of feasibility, there must be a department of the agency or unit that receives phone calls 24/7, records full information for later examination and verification. Therefore, it is necessary to consider and regulate more clearly because the reality is very complicated and if you do not answer the phone, it is a violation."

In response to the above opinions, Chairman of the Law Committee Nguyen Khac Dinh emphasized that the regulation on the form of denunciation by phone is not new but already exists in the Anti-Corruption Law, so this law only records it. The new point in this law is that even though denunciations are made by phone, the same procedures as direct denunciations must still be followed, then verification must be conducted to clarify the identity, the problem, and the violation before a decision can be made to accept the case, and only then will obligations of the parties arise.

According to Mr. Nguyen Khac Dinh, Standing Member of the Law Committee, denunciation via email, fax, and telephone are essentially just different ways of expressing the two forms of denunciation that the draft Law stipulates: denunciation by petition and direct denunciation. Moreover, the application of information technology has become popular in most areas of social life and in state management. Therefore, the form of expression of petition should not be limited to paper documents, and the form of expression of direct denunciation should only be a meeting and oral presentation.

“Regardless of the form of the denunciation, in the initial stage of handling the denunciation, the competent authority must clearly identify the full name and address (personal identity) of the denouncer, the content of the denunciation must have a basis for verification and conclusion, then there will be a basis for deciding whether to accept and resolve the denunciation or not” - Chairman of the Law Committee Nguyen Khac Dinh said.

From the above viewpoint, the Standing Committee of the Law Committee and the Drafting Agency agreed to revise Article 18 of the draft Law on the form of denunciation to include: Denunciation is made in writing or orally; Written denunciation includes paper copies, faxes, and emails; Verbal denunciation includes: the denouncer presents directly orally at the competent agency or organization or to a competent individual; denunciation by phone to a competent agency, organization, or individual.

In addition, the draft Law also adds stricter regulations on the process of receiving denunciations to prevent the abuse of newly recognized forms of denunciation to make widespread, baseless denunciations, and to take advantage of the right to denounce to infringe upon the legitimate rights and interests of agencies, organizations, and individuals.

Concluding the discussion, Vice Chairman of the National Assembly Uong Chu Luu also emphasized that the form of denunciation by phone is not a new issue and must be verified before it can be accepted for settlement. Furthermore, this law stipulates more clearly the responsibility and sanctions for those who intentionally make false denunciations, take advantage of denunciations to slander and cause trouble. Therefore, it is agreed to add this form to make it more convenient for people to exercise their right to denounce./.