Ombudsman calls on alliances to boost graftbusting drive
Can seven investigators of the Office of the Ombudsman in the Visayas keep track of the government-prescribed duties and responsibilities of 93,380 government workers throughout Western Visayas?
The obvious answer – no. But is it possible to keep them all honest or at least make the system work against graft and corruption? For the Ombudsman in the Visayas officials, a resounding yes.
And yes through strengthened alliances and linkages with Corruption Prevention Units (CPUs) and forging of “Resident Ombudsmen” in national government agencies here. Yes, too through massive information drive vis a vis involvement of the community.
Such was the message of Deputy Ombudsman Pelagio Apostol who spoke before the region's “graftbusters” in a one-day gab cum assessment.
Saying unity is the ultimate weapon against corruption, Apostol rallied anew for support while appealing to private partners.
“If we are united, this will have a multiplier effect...corruption can be part of history so this appeal for efforts and funds on social responsibility to anti-corruption efforts...please let us make a difference in 2009. Our aim is to have 100% air-tight cases against erring officials....to our non-government organizations, there is an urgent need to rechannel your efforts,” Apostol said. “No matter how good the system is, it is us eventually who makes the difference. We will continue. Wala nang atrasan ito.”
The Ombudsman here in its latest annual report disclosed major accomplishments in the conduct of investigations vis a vis fact-finding, lifestyle check and O-Plan Red Plate.
The O-Plan Red Plate alone scored a significant drop from the 158 in 2007 down to 21 last year. And the complaints all acted by the Ombudsman here were sourced from text tips.
“Kaya natin ito sa Visayas although matindi dito ang political influence...if we all work together, kakayanin,” Apostol added while disclosing that since his assumption into post, no such political interference was made directly to him.
Yesterday's Ombudsman event saw a “full-force” attendance of 38 Resident Ombudsmen of Western Visayas.
Deputy Ombudsman Apostol made special reference to the efforts of the Bacolod unit saying the “microscopic and scientific approach” on its anti-corruption drive is commendable.
Similar commendation made to the Guimaras Corruption Prevention Unit which he said may actually be made a model for the region.
With Deputy Ombudsman Apostol was Director Carla Juris Tanco. The region's repot was presented by Associate Graft Investigator Evangeline Nunal.
Among those spotted in attendance were Attorney Ferdinand Panes of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), Attorney Conrado Agot of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Attorney Tomas Valera of the Commission on Elections and Chris Montano of the Commission on Human Rights.
Likewise present was Attorney Paquit Estandarte Jr. of the Bureau of Local Government Finance and Attorney Cherry Dela Cruz of the Civil Service Commission.
Relatedly, Attorney Agot grabbed the opportunity to register his objection on what he termed were “unrecorded realities” in the government's battle against corruption.
“We are mere pawns,” he decried while baring one incident of political intervention by an unnamed Congressman in the affairs of the DPWH. One employee of some 30 years in government employ was apparently targeted by the congressman and asked to be removed from post.
“We have to correct the back-up system too...this is also clearly part of corruption,” he said.