Ombudsman now more accessible

MANILA, Philippines - Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales has assured the public and media of increased access to information at the Office of the Ombudsman.

Speaking to reporters last Wednesday, Morales said they are coming up with service desks to augment accessibility to the anti-graft agency.

“We started in Quezon City two days ago, then we will go to Mandaluyong, Manila, Makati, Pasig, Pasay and Caloocan,” she said.

Morales said the Office of the Ombudsman also has a public assistance office.

“So I don’t know what they are saying... and we entertain complaints received by Internet.”

Since Morales became Ombudsman, media access to complaints, rulings, and other documents at the anti-graft agency has reportedly been restricted.

Recently, Morales tightened the Office of the Ombudsman’s rules on releasing to the public and media information about the status of pending complaints. 

In a memorandum circular posted at the anti-graft agency’s website, she said walk-in clients including “any individual not party to a case” is now required to write a formal letter stating the purpose of the inquiry which shall be subject to her approval or that of her deputies.

Only authorized records officers and personnel may attend to requests for case status and release the information, according to Morales.

Based on the new rules, parties to a case, counsels on record, and authorized representatives of the parties must fill up a form or a verification to have easier access to information.

The memorandum circular is being issued “to ensure the effective implementation of the Citizen’s Charter of the Office of the Ombudsman and properly observe confidentiality of proceedings,” Morales said.

Meanwhile, Morales reactivated yesterday the anti-graft agency’s team of investigators and prosecutors handling cases involving public officials and employees accused of violating environmental laws.

“Pursuant to our commitment to address the need to conserve, protect and restore our life support systems through the proper implementation or enforcement of existing environmental laws, there is a need to reconstitute our Environment Team,” she said in a memorandum.

Morales said an Environment Ombudsman will be tasked to head the body.

The reactivation of the Environment Team is pursuant to the Office of the Ombudsman’s commitment to a memorandum of agreement with the Integrated Bar of the Philippines in 2004, she added.

Among the nominees to the Environmental Team are Graft Investigation and Prosecution Officers (GIPOs) Edsel Ensomo, Nelia Lagura-Prieto, Amy Rose Soler-Rellin, Milagros Macaraig, and Hilde Likit.

GIPOs Marilou Unabia, Vivian Jumilla, Raquel Cunanan-Marayag, Ismaela Boco, John Felix Jr., Myla Teona Teologio, Laurrie Layne Cristobal, Alteza Aoso, Sylvia Severo, Charmaine Ruiz and Lucielo Ramirez Jr. are also being considered.