Ombudsman lectures to barangay captains
After talking to hundreds of public school teachers, barangay officials and employees of Tigbauan, Guimbal and Miagao on Tuesday morning, February 27, on public accountability, the indefatigable OIC Deputy Ombudsman for Visayas Virginia P. Santiago motored back to Iloilo City where she lectured to more than 360 barangay officials assembled at the Division of Iloilo City Schools Auditorium on Gen. Luna Street in the afternoon of the same day.
Iloilo City Mayor Jerry P. Treñas and DILG City Director Helen Mestido were delighted that the Ombudsman had at last taken the cudgel to address financial and accountability problems facing many city barangay officials.
Deputy Ombudsman Santiago cited some of the major problems her office had experienced in many barangays in the Visayas. Many of these acute problems are the illegal disbursement of barangay funds, the use of barangay vehicles for private purposes, appointing next of kins and family members as barangay treasurer, secretary, tanod and even employees.
She also cited amorous relationship between the barangay captains and female treasurers who accompany her to the bank to deposit and withdraw barangay funds which arose suspicion from the public; deducting wages of barangay employees who were absent from the service and spending the money for pleasure. The amiable but ebullient Deputy Ombudsman said that a number of barangay captains were not knowledgeable on the proper accounting of barangay funds and spend barangay money contrary to auditing rules and regulations. The strong message of Director Santiago to barangay officials is an offshoot of many charges of graft and corruption against erring barangay officials and government employees not only in Iloilo but in other parts of the Visayas. The energetic Visayas graftbuster minced no words when she mentioned that cases of graft and corruption charges will be filed or had been filed on government officials and employees including barangay officials who are corrupt and dishonest. She mentioned in passing that the Philippines was tagged as No. 9 most corrupt nation in the world and No. 2 very corrupt nation in Asia. Forty-eight billion dollars had been lost to corruption for the past 10 years enough to pay Philippine debt of $60 billion.
The hardworking Visayas Deputy Ombudsman who travels regularly to the entire Visayan islands cited an incident of a porkbarrel of a congressman released for drug rehabilitation of P5 million. The fund was channeled through the Boy Scouts fund and finally went into the pocket of the politician.
She appealed to her audience both in Miagao Auditorium Center and the Division of Iloilo City Schools Center, thus don't give, don't ask and don't accept as you will fall into temptation. Santiago told her listeners to stick to commitment to public interest, professionalism, responsibility to public service, national patriotism, commitment to democracy and simple living.
On the lifestyle probe, many government officials in the Bureau of Customs, BIR, DPWH, LTO-LTFRB, etc. had been dismissed and suspended for graft and corruption including living beyond their means. She concluded her three hours non-stop talk with the Iloilo City Barangay Captains and Treasurers including some Kagawads to safeguard the people's money in the barangays and avoid violation of the law. "If you have any problem, contact our office at the CAP building at Gen. Luna Street and we are willing to assist you," OIC Deputy Ombudsman Santiago said.