Mexico launches new, tougher anti-corruption measure

Mexico's President Enrique Pena Nieto on Monday signed into law a new package of anti-corruption bills, the Latin American country's strongest measure aiming to root out the evil at all levels of government.

At the National Palace in Mexico City, Pena Nieto unveiled the new package of laws that increases oversight of politicians, by a citizens' committee to be established, and provides for stiffer penalties against corruption.

The package of seven laws demands that public servants declare their tax-paying information, their wealth and any potential conflicts of interest.

Pena Nieto expressed the hope the mechanism will restore public confidence in the government, assuring Mexicans of a difference to be made.

"We will work to eradicate abuses by those who do not obey the law, " he said.

Meanwhile, Pena Nieto used the occasion to offer "my profound and sincere apology for the offense and indignation I have caused" over his wife's purchase of a luxury home worth seven million U.S. dollars from a government contractor.

Pena Nieto admitted he "made a mistake" in the deal exposed by media reports in late 2014. He said "this error affected my family, hurt the presidential office and hurt confidence in the government."

A government-sponsored investigation later found no conflict of interest in the purchase.

The official leading the probe resigned earlier on Monday as head of the public administration department.

Eduardo Bohorquez, director of Transparencia Mexicana, one of the non-governmental organizations behind the new set of anti-corruption rules, said the new system is a step forward, while describing corruption as "an open wound" and a tax "Mexican homes pay every day" in the country.

"Thirty-three percent of the income of a family on minimum wage goes towards the payment of bribes for access to services," he added. Endi