Statements submitted by public office holders declaring their incomes, properties and personal interests will be verified by a new commission – the Principal Ethics Commission, an autonomous public authority consisting of 26 members, Info-Prim Neo reports. The bill creating the Commission was adopted upon first reading by Parliament. Deputy Justice Minister Vladimir Grosu specified that the Commission will verify the declarations of judges, prosecutors, public functionaries and other groups of persons in position of authority. If the Commission finds that there is a sharp discrepancy between the amount of the income earned during the term in office and the value of the property obtained in the same period and which cannot be justified, the Commission will notify the investigation or fiscal bodies. Similarly, if the Commission finds a violation of the conflicts of interest provisions, it will request the relevant bodies to impose on the respective office holders penalties ranging from disciplinary sanctions to dismissal. The Commission will be headed by a chairperson appointed by Parliament with a simple majority, for a maximum of two consecutive 5-year terms. Both the chairperson and the deputy chairperson must not have any recent history of political affiliation. The Commission's work will be financed from the State Budget. The chairperson will be given a monthly salary of 5,000 lei, his/her deputy will receive 4,500 lei and other members will receive from 1,000 to 2,500 lei. Members will include dignitaries, public functionaries and contract-based staff. The Commission shall submit annual activity reports.