Graftwatch urges politicians to fulfill promises to the people
Rev. Father Robert Amalay
Here is a friendly reminder to newly-elected and reelected officials of the Province and City of Iloilo - "Remember your promises to the people. Go back to what you said during the campaign period. Go back to what you made the people believe when you asked for their votes."
Such was the message of Rev. Father Robert Amalay, spokesperson of the People's Graftwatch of Iloilo (PGI) with a few days left on the official start of public office for new administrations in the city, municipal and provincial governments .
PGI since its conception in 1994 serves as Iloilo's anti-graft body and instrumental in filing cases against erring government officials.
Now on its 13 year of service and advocacy, Father Amalay said inventories of graft cases and engagements are underway. This as major review is being made on the programs and approaches of PGI particularly in its anti-corruption drive and tight watch on abusive officials.
As such, a restructured and redesigned manner of PGI's handling and advocacy is to be expected primarily on government corruption issues and cases.
And delicadeza should prevail at all times, Father Amalay stresses while adding that "delicadeza must be the unspoken rule on everybody in government."
"Our message to our new and reelected officials is for them to remember always that public service means accountability," Father Amalay said.
PGI has taken the lead role on "Operation Red Plate," a campaign against mis-use of government vehicles. Responses have been encouraging with civilian tipsters reporting sightings of government cars with red plates beyond office hours.
A clear provision has been issued against wanton use of government vehicles however it has been a 'normal' occurrence to see red-plated cars parked in mall premises and other business establishments even during non-office hours and days.
Project IRA or the watch on local government unit's Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA) is also another PGI brainchild that made public millions in government expenditures.
PGI will also lead this month's anti-corruption roadshow that will bring PGI throughout Iloilo towns and the city.
Asked on where PGI is now in terms of success rate, Father Amalay quipped, "we have our good stories and we also have our bad stories. We can only do so much."
"Good stories," he said, are marked by the massive support generated in numerous anti-graft and corruption issues alongside cases resolved by the Office of the Ombudsman. "Bad stories" on the other hand is where politics played a dominant role in the disposition of some cases.
Asked to comment on the sweeping victory of Governor Niel Tupas and members of his immediate family, Father Amalay said the PGI respects the people's choice yet admits that "in a way, it is also a failure in our part."
The Governor is subject of numerous graft and corruption cases handled and pursued by the PGI including the two administrative and criminal cases where the governor was found guilty and ordered dismissed from office. The order was never successfully implemented though as it met legal impediments.
"Let us look at it in a compartmentalized basis. Yes it is a failure in a sense that we have failed to let the people understand the issues but no, it is not altogether a failure too because it was the people's decision. You know we can only do so much," Father Amalay ended.