Ombudsman, Sandiganbayan performing below par — groups

The Center for Public Empowerment in Governance (CenPEG) and Transparency International-Philippines (TI) expressed dismay yesterday over the performance of the Office of the Ombudsman and the Sandiganbayan in prosecuting and convicting high-profile cases of graft and corruption.

In a joint press conference at the Club Filipino, the two organizations revealed that despite the thousands of cases filed with the Office of the Ombudsman and a lesser number elevated to the Sandiganbayan in 27 years — from 1979 to May 2006 — only two governors, a vice-governor, 23 mayors and one vice mayor or a total of 27 ranking elective officials were found guilty of graft and corruption.

These elective officials were found guilty of violating Republic Act 3019 (Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act), malversation of public funds, estafa, bribery and theft.

"There have only been 27 convictions in 27 years. This means that there is only one conviction every year. These are only the elective officials. What about the appointive officials?" said Victoria Avena, a former member of the Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG) and now a member of CenPEG.

According to CenPEG and TI, the figure they cited was based on the number of convictions of elective officials occupying top positions, not counting town councilors. The rest of the convicted officials were holding non-elective positions in government. — Mike Frialde