Apostol rallies media, public support on Ombudsman ‘lifestyle check’ drive
Sky is the limit. For transparency and public accountability that is. And not for those in government employ out to enrich themselves while in public office.
Such highlighted the message cum warning of Deputy Ombudsman for the Visayas Pelagio Apostol in a talk with members of the local media. The topic was on the current “lifestyle check” of the Office of the Ombudsman, the government’s drive aimed at keeping an eye on government officials and workers.
With 39 pending cases in Western Visayas, Apostol assured of a “no-nonsense” campaign stressing the need to keep those in government honest. The media, he said, is a welcomed partner albeit with certain procedures to be followed when seeking documents in the Ombudsman’s hands.
Official statement on the Ombudsman website stated that the issuance of the guidelines “was simply intended to prevent dubious requests for access to Statements of Assets and Liabilities Networth (SALN).”
“Among the concerns in the release of the SALN are: 1) the probability of them being used by litigants or parties who have received unfavorable rulings; 2) unnecessary disclosure of personal information of the owner of the SALN, such as his/her private address and names of members of his/her immediately family; and 3) disclosure to unscrupulous individuals may give rise to extortion or blackmail,” the clarification went.
“There are no restrictions really for as long the purpose is clear… ”sky is the limit” so to speak particularly if the need is for documents to be used as news references… the people in government need to be transparent with their assets and liabilities... those are the “hazards” of the profession…. all sectors must really unite versus corruption... the media, the public and private sectors, puedeng magsama-sama even if there is diversity,” Deputy Ombudsman Apostol said.
Pressed for details on the pending “lifestyle cases” here, Apostol said regional directors are among the subjects. He however declined to give specifics saying they are still on the “fact-finding” stage.
The News Today (TNT) learned that alongside the 39 pending cases are 13 others “disposed” or resolved while three are under Preliminary Investigation already.
Meantime, the now controversial “Oplan Red Plate,” the Ombudsman-led drive against mis-use of government vehicles continues to gain momentum.
As of July 30th, 228 cases are pending with the bulk at 240 cases received only this year. Deputy Ombudsman Apostol considered some “partial victory” here saying significant effect has been felt.
He added that the Office of the Ombudsman, particularly the area under the Iloilo Field Office, must have already saved the government at least a million in taxpayers’ money, thanks to the unrelenting drive.
“Medyo nagtagumpay na tayo dito..umipekto na talaga,” he said.
Apostol was in town with Ombudsman bigwigs to mark the third year of the Ombudsman Iloilo Field Office.
Recognition was given to members of the local media as “Ombudsman partners.” TNT was among the awardees three years in a row now.
On the other hand, Lawyer Carla Juris Narvios Tanco, Ombudsman Iloilo acting Director of the Public Assistance and Corruption Prevention Office (PACPO) presented the new Corruption Prevention Unit (CPU) partners.
To note, the Ombudsman Office here has since widened its linkages to both government and non-government agencies and groups.
In fact, the Graft Prevention and Education Unit reported three new CPUs in Negros Occidental that are now accredited partners. This, alongside the re-accreditation of three Social Action Centers (SACs) also in said province.