Valencia’s Anti-Corruption Agency has begun a countdown for local governments to comply with a new legal framework. In February, Law No. 2/2023 was approved to protect individuals who report violations of the regulation and to advance the fight against corruption. This law implements Directive 2019/1937 on whistleblower protection, embedding robust requirements into the Spanish legal system and aligning with European standards for safeguarding those who raise concerns about improper conduct.
The regulation introduces a key concept: every public body must establish an Internal Information System (SII). This system includes official complaint channels through mailboxes or electronic portals for receiving submissions and information that could indicate a breach of the law. To support immediate action, the Anti-Corruption Agency will offer guidance and assistance to requesting administrations. It also provides the necessary technology to develop these complaint channels free of charge, ensuring all entities can implement compliant reporting mechanisms without financial barriers.
Since its inception, the regime has seen widespread adoption across a broad spectrum of administrations. More than seventy agreements and protocols have connected large bodies such as the Castellón Provincial Council and Valencia City Council with smaller councils, including La Yesa, a municipality with around 120 residents. This rapid uptake underscores the law’s intent to standardize reporting flows and to embed transparency across governance levels.
The law further requires that each administration appoint a natural person or a collegiate body to manage the Internal Information System and outline the procedures for handling reports. Appointments and removals must be communicated within ten working days to the competent authority, which in the Valencian Community is the Valencia Anti-Corruption Agency. To streamline oversight, the Agency has established the Internal Information Systems Managers Registry (RRSII), consolidating all appointments and removals while ensuring data stays current and accessible for audit purposes.
Deadline timelines are clear. Public administrations must establish their Internal Information Systems by June 13, with extensions granted only to municipalities with fewer than 10,000 residents until December 1. The notification process to the Agency remains open year round, and entities can submit updates electronically at any time, facilitating continuous compliance and rapid reporting of changes in leadership or system status.
Under Article IX of Law No. 2/2023, the law emphasizes that failing to establish an information system constitutes a serious offense, while failing to notify the appointment of the responsible person or body constitutes a minor violation with corresponding sanctions. This framework codifies accountability and reinforces the importance of transparent, accountable governance and robust reporting channels for public servants and officials.
In practical terms, the new standard is designed to reduce barriers to whistleblowing, ensure consistent handling of reports, and provide administrators with a clear path to implement compliant infrastructure. The emphasis on centralized registries and uniform procedures supports better monitoring, faster responses to potential misconduct, and a stronger culture of integrity across municipalities and provincial bodies alike [citation: Valencia Anti-Corruption Agency, 2023].
Recent events illustrate the law in action. Investigations have been launched into alleged irregularities involving a mayor in Callosa and a councilor, signaling the ongoing enforcement of the reporting system and the critical role of the SII in exposing improper practices. These cases highlight how protected reporting can trigger scrutiny and corrective action across administrations, reinforcing the system’s practical value for governance in the region [citation: Regional News Archives, 2024].