63 gov’t officials in WV under lifestyle check
Sixty-three government officials in Western Visayas have been placed under lifestyle check by the Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas for unexplained wealth.
Deputy Ombudsman-Visayas Pelagio Apostol said the 63 cases were already lowered from 84 cases filed between 2007 and last year after the 21 other cases were disposed for lack of witnesses and evidence.
The present cases are still awaiting resolution, he said.
Most of those placed under lifestyle check are elected local officials, including those from municipalities and barangays.
Apostol said most cases were filed before their office while the others were reported to them through informants.
The accomplishments and programs of the Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas regional office in Iloilo City was bared during its fourth anniversary celebration on August 20.
Caravan
On September 1, the Office of the Ombudsman -Visayas together with more than 30 partner-agencies will hold a “Caravan of Government Services” with medical and dental mission in Capiz.
Apostol said they have already held the caravan in Antique, Aklan and Iloilo, particularly in Pototan.
During the activity, all government agencies will have a booth to address
public concerns.
“It’s a ‘one-stop-shop’ program to answer and address all the public’s inquiries,” he said.
Apostol said the Ombudsman wants to show the public that this is how the government offices work for them to solve their problems.
“We want to bring good services closer and directly to the people,” he quipped.
Meanwhile, Evangeline Nuñal, associate graft investigation officer III of the Ombudsman’s Public Assistance, Mediation and Graft Prevention Unit, is inviting other private agencies to join their medical and dental mission.
Nuñal said they need more sponsors for medicines.
Those interested to help may call the Ombudsman Office 6 at tel. nos. 508-9658, 509-5644 and 509-4655.*
