Ombudsman asks public participation vs. graft, corruption
ROXAS CITY – The Office of the Ombudsman urges the public to help in the implementation of the Oplan Red Plate.
Associate Graft Investigation Officer Evangeline Nuñal said that the support of the community in the drive to stamp out abuses in the use of government vehicles is vital.
Nuñal stressed that the public needs to help the Oplan Red Plate team led by the Office of the Ombudsman so that abuses and corruption in the government will eventually be stopped.
She explained that the Office of the Ombudsman had created the Task Force Red Plate to investigate one of the most prevalent forms of corruption in the country which is the abuse in the use of government vehicles by public officials and employees.
She cited that government vehicles are usually spotted in public markets, malls, resorts, night bars, leisure centers, grocery stores and similar establishments that cause the government to lose millions every year.
Nuñal said that to strengthen the Red Plate Program, the Oplan Red Plate Visayas Joint Task Force which is an inter-agency task force was established in 2008.
Members of the said task force are composed of representatives from the OMB, Commission on Audit, Philippine National Police, Civil Service Commission, Philippine Information Agency, and Land Transportation Office.
According to Nuñal their office is having an on-going administrative adjudication of cases against public officials who were charged for abusing the use of government vehicles, particularly those who were caught during the task force’s operation.
She added that in 2008, 19 government officials were already suspended from office without pay for violation of the various rules and regulations on the use of government vehicles.
On the other hand, Nuñal has appealed for public support and participation in this on-going campaign against graft and corruption. (PIA/Jemin B. Guillermo)
