CH officials urged: Help curb corruption

CEBU, Philippines - The Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas has asked the Cebu City officials to help curb corrupt practices through genuine public service.

Deputy Ombudsman for the Visayas Pelagio Apostol made the request during the recently concluded seminar on Integrity, Transparency and Accountability, which aims to give a proactive stance in the professionalism of its ranks, observe proper conduct and decorum in accordance with Republic Act 6713 otherwise known as the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees.

The program was the brainchild of the city legal office in collaboration with the anti-graft office.

Apostol said corruption has been rampant in the country since time immemorial. But, he said it could still be worked out if the government officials and employees are well-coordinated, transparent, and sincere towards public service.

“There should be concerted efforts to fight against corruption. Dapat one direction tayo sa pag-strengthen sa transparency and accountability,” he said.

Apostol said the Commission on Audit should also take part in this by thoroughly checking probable “irregularities” in government transactions and programs, including contributions, networks and efforts to see vivid result.

Vice Mayor Edgardo Labella, a lawyer and former director at the Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas, agreed saying, it is important to prevent the occurrences of corruption by promoting transparency and accountability in the government’s delivery systems.

Labella said Senators Juan Ponce Enrile, Jinggoy Estrada, and Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. were prosecuted by the Office of the Ombudsman for plunder and graft cases, which signals the drive in eliminating, if not reducing corruption in government offices.

Lawyer Jose Marie Poblete, City engineer and officer-in-charge of the Office of the Building Official, said the aim to end corrupt practices is everybody’s concern.

“Fighting corruption requires more than tools and programs, like models who can stood up against corruption instead of showing the effects of it which serve only as destructions. We need models, those who were awarded for not being corrupt to provide a sense of hope and empowerment,” he said. — (FREEMAN)