Letter to the Editor – A defiant hope

The resignation of Tanodbayan Simeon Marcelo effective November 30 leaves a deep void and some uncertainty in the nation's fight against graft and corruption. It is unfortunate that his health, and we believe this to be so, could not match the demands of the Office of the Ombudsman. Indeed the latter calls for heroic love and leadership, a Herculean role that can take its personal toll.

But we at Barug Pilipino remain defiantly hopeful.

In his relatively short stint, Tanodbayan Marcelo managed to run around public opinion regarding the said office which, in his own words, was designed to fail upon its inception.

With a low budget that depends upon Congress-appropriated funding, some politically-motivated appointments and an incredibly high backlog of cases, small wonder a "big fish" has yet to be convicted.

But there has been progress. Priorities have been set. Structural defects identified.

Additional funding tapped. The lifestyle check has led to some convictions and cases involving some "big fish" have been moving forward.

There was credible leadership at the top. Most importantly, civil society and our Church-based network found in him an anti-corruption champion worthy of respect and trust.

After all, without support from the larger population, no government anti-corruption effort can ever hope to succeed.

We are indeed grateful to God for raising Tanodbayan Marcelo and others like him at the Office of the Ombudsman as instruments of righteousness. Indeed the qualities of nobility, integrity, competence, and effectiveness are what we need of our public servants. And when our public officials give of themselves, they create spaces of hope where other concerned believers and citizens can share in the joyful task of creating a corruption-intolerant culture and a transformed Filipino nation.

But the challenges continue. We need to turn out vigilant gaze upon the process of choosing the new Tanodbayan. Let us make sure that the selection process is transparent and not perpetuate patronage politics, particularly in the area of endorsements.

All the candidates should already be subjected to the Lifestyle Check and possible conflicts of interest scrutinized specifically ties with individuals who have pending cases with the Ombudsman's Office.

Our voices should be heard. Feedback may be sent to the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) Secretariat 2nd Floor Centennial Building, Supreme Court, Padre Faura, Manila or call 02-552-9598. Barug Pilipino can also be contacted at 09209155828.

Finally, let us all pray for enlightenment, for ourselves, the JBC, and President Gloria M. Arroyo who has the final say. After all, the work of social transformation will succeed only if it is animated by faith, sharing the energies of love, and rooted in a defiant hope.

Fr. Carmelo O. Diola
Vice-Chairman, Barug Pilipino