MANILA — Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla has urged Filipinos to break their silence on corruption and abuse of authority in government, warning that public tolerance of misconduct would only allow erring officials to continue misusing their powers and undermine efforts to improve public service.
Remulla stressed that holding government officials accountable should not be left to authorities alone, emphasizing that ordinary citizens have a crucial role in exposing wrongdoing and demanding responsible governance.
“We try to make accountability something felt by the people who matter, and the people who matter is the Filipino people. Tayong mga Pilipino, dapat kaya nating isaayos ang bayan natin at kaya nating lumaban para sa ating mga karapatan. We have to fight for our rights,” the Ombudsman said in a statement.
He encouraged Filipinos who have experienced or witnessed abuses by public officials to come forward and report such incidents to his office, stressing that firsthand information is vital in identifying misconduct and addressing deficiencies in government services.
“We have to fight back by being open or by openly communicating to us what is happening on the ground,” he added.
Remulla warned that government reforms would remain difficult to achieve if citizens continued to tolerate officials who abuse their authority or disregard their responsibilities to the public.
“If we accede to the antics of many people in government who have a wrong idea of how to exercise power and responsibility, then things will never improve,” Remulla said.
The Ombudsman emphasized that his office was committed to working closely with citizens to safeguard their rights, investigate alleged abuses and strengthen accountability across government agencies.
He underscored the importance of public cooperation in bringing misconduct to the attention of authorities, saying information provided by ordinary Filipinos could help uncover irregularities that might otherwise go unreported.
Under the Constitution, the Office of the Ombudsman is mandated to investigate and act on complaints against public officials and employees suspected of engaging in illegal, unjust, improper or inefficient acts.
The agency serves as a principal mechanism for holding government personnel accountable for misconduct and protecting citizens against abuses in public office.
Remulla reiterated that meaningful reforms require not only government action but also a citizenry willing to assert its rights, report irregularities and demand accountability from those entrusted with public authority./PN
