Eye Opener
Deputy Ombudsman Apostol can do it!
It would seem that Deputy Ombudsman for Visayas Pelagio Apostol is dead serious in not only hastening pending graft cases in his Cebu City office but also shortening the list of grafters in our government that up to now are wallowing in dirty wealth taken from the coffers of the government.
The Deputy Ombudsman was in fighting spirit when he declared an all-out war against the enemy of society in our government. But unless and until pending graft cases in his office remain dormant and unacted upon, the dishonest government officials will continue to stash the treasury of the insular government and come out happy since they belong to the list of untouchables. Apostol in his February 26 discourse minced no wasted words in declaring war against the Satanic forces of society by saying that his services in the Philippine Marines, Public Accountancy and the Prosecution offices will more than ever give him strength in pursuing the task set before him in minimizing if not completely eliminating evil doings in the government.
Many believe that the fighting Antiqueño will soar high in his avowed determination to fight malfeasance in the government come what may. Guests and media practitioners who were present at the February 26 conference believe that Apostol can do it in making Ombudsman Visayas the last bastion of defense against anomalies in government.
Not long ago, several leading newspapers in Metro Manila bannered Philippine Senators' complaint against Tanod Bayan Merceditas Gutierrez that she reportedly failed to conduct an investigation on the expose of World Bank against the alleged anomaly wherein the most influential person in the GMA family was reportedly pointed out. If all the wrongdoings of the present top government officials and their cronies will go scot-free, the incoming 2010 new officials will no doubt bring to the fore their misdeeds while still in power.
Meanwhile, during the brief discourse of Msgr. Meliton Oso at the Ombudsman conference, the popular parish priest of Tubungan, Iloilo, detonated a bomb. In a high pitch staccato tone, the fearless graftbuster of the People's Graftwatch in Iloilo for his disgust over the Capitol and Pavia cases where no decision had been promulgated despite strong evidences presented. Although COA and other investigating agencies have reportedly found many wrongdoings in government transactions, the general public is wondering why, and why? Anyway, the highest judge, God the Father, may have already noted down not only the anomalies in the Capitol but in all graft-ridden government offices.
The audience listening closely to the expose of Msgr. Oso believe that after GMA leaves Malacañang after the May 2010 elections, the new government will bring to justice all dishonest and anomalous persons. The Filipino people believe, have still trust and confidence with the Philippine Ombudsman as there are still many in the rank and file of the prosecuting body men and women of unquestioned integrity and honesty. Let's pray that Deputy Ombudsman Apostol and Assistant Ombudsman for Visayas Virginia Palanca Santiago will be given strength and courage to perform their duties with sincerity towards country and God. Government officials and employees may not be aware that there is still God overseeing them.