New strategies vs graft and corruption up
Public assistance and graft prevention. These are the present strategies being adopted by the Office of the Ombudsman Visayas in the fight against graft and corruption according to Deputy Ombudsman in the Visayas Pelagio S. Apostol during his recent meeting with the members of the Iloilo media.
"We can put corrupt people to jail but admittedly, we can hardly recover the money that went to corruption," Apostol said emphasizing that "Konti lang yong record natin na we recovered money that went to corruption, although kaya natin yong magpakulong ng tao."
He added that in close coordination with partner agencies the present policy in the Visayas is to gather all reported irregularities or delays and require concerned public officials to comment.
During the meeting with the Iloilo media, Apostol said that his coordination with partner agencies has recently gained positive results such as in the two infrastructure projects in Iloilo allegedly involved with some irregularities. These projects are the Nanga Bridge Project in Nanga, Guimbal which starting last December 15 became passable and the Infante Flyover Project under the "Tulay ng Pangulo sa Kaunlaran Project" of the President's Bridge Program which is expected to be passable by the end of this month.
While citing the important role of media in the fight against graft and corruption, Apostol also appealed to them to also make news on the good performance and accomplishments of public officials rather than projecting the image of the country either in the local and international community ruled by thieves.
"Kung magaling kayong gumawa ng sensational reports on corruption, calamities and massacres let us as well create sensational reports on the good performance of our public officials," said Apostol. (PIA)