Ombudsman eyes 'One Visayas' in fight against corruption
KALIBO, Aklan -- The Ombudsman is eyeing to set up the so-called "One Visayas" which will be enjoining all sectors in the Visayas region to unite in a common fight against corruption.
In a press conference here, Pelagio Apostol, Deputy Ombudsman for Visayas, said that the One Visayas team is part of the commitment of the country to the United Nations Conventions Against Corruptions (UNCAC).
"Just last Wednesday, I attended the conference with UNCAC at the PICC where the country being a state party to the convention is committed to fight corruption," Apostol said.
According to him, government leaders from Cebu and Panay Island and even the media have already expressed interests in fulfilling the goal of the One Visayas Team hoping to eradicate massive corruption in the country.
Among the agenda of the said program is the protection of whistle blowers and informers on corruption, eradicating the culture of tolerance for corruption among the residents and creating rapport among the local government units.
Apostol was here in Kalibo for a two-day Caravan of Government Services in the province. In the said caravan, there were at least 32 government agencies supporting and willing to provide their respective services to the residents.
"We organized this caravan for us to be viewed as an institution that helps in the delivery of government services. While we discourage corruption, we would like the local government officials to know that we are also helping them in their endeavors of good governance," Apostol, who traces his roots from Bugasong, Antique, said.
He said that unity among several sectors including the media and local government officials is the primary key in solving corruption in the country today.
"Currently, we have no national picture of our endeavors in our fight against corruption. We hope that the One Visayas team will be able to draw the picture of our anti-corruption drive," he added. (PNA)