Ombudsman thanks ‘herculean fight’ partners
The Office of the Ombudsman for the Visayas Iloilo Regional Office VI here will confer certificates of recognition on its partners who have contributed much to the accomplishments of their office in fighting graft and corruption.
The list of honorees includes 12 media organizations, nine corruption prevention units, 5 OPLAN Red Plate partner-agencies, members of the Regional Association of National Government Executives (RANGE), Association of Resident Ombudsmen in Government Agencies (AROGA) VI, and municipalities of San Jose in Antique, Pototan in Iloilo, and Kalibo, Aklan.
The giving out of certificates of recognition will be one of the highlights of the 3rd anniversary celebration of Ombudsman-Western Visayas, September 10-11.
Ombudsman Ma. Merceditas Navarro-Gutierrez will be handing out the certificates to the recipients during an anniversary celebration program on Sept. 11, together with Overall Deputy Ombudsman Orlando Casimiro and Deputy Ombudsman for the Visayas Pelagio Apostol.
Apostol said the local Ombudsman’s office will also conduct on Sept. 10 a performance assessment with partner agencies regarding the government’s campaign against graft and corruption including that on misuse of government vehicles dubbed Oplan Red Plate.
Apostol said their office considers it an honor and privilege to work with partners as the Office of the Ombudsman continues to uphold their mandate and in carrying out the “herculean task of fighting graft and corruption.”
The Office of the Ombudsman, created in 1989, is the office of government that is primarily tasked to enforce the following laws: (a) Republic Act (RA) 3019, which is the country’s main anti-corruption law, called the anti-graft and corrupt practices act; (b) RA 6713, which is the code of conduct and ethical standards for public officials and employees; (c) RA 1379, which is the law that declares the forfeiture in favor of the State of any property found to have been unlawfully acquired by public officers or employees; and (d) Presidential Decree (PD) 7080, which is the law that defines and penalizes the crime of plunder.
In addition, however, the Office of the Ombudsman enforces laws that traditionally have defined and punished crimes affecting public officials and employees. These laws are found in the Revised Penal Code, and they refer to crimes against the fundamental laws of the State and crimes committed by public officers and employees. (PIA 6/OMB)