LAST week’s announcement that Ombudsman Samuel Martires confirmed he is giving up P51.5 million in confidential funds that the Ombudsman is scheduled to receive in 2024 is very welcome. I hope that he has adequate funds remaining so that he can properly fulfil the responsibilities he wishes to undertake.
The Ombudsman’s office was created as a result of the ratification of our 1987 Constitution.
Article XI Section 13 (7) succinctly described the Ombudsman’s role.
It says: “Determine the causes of inefficiency, red tape, mismanagement, fraud, and corruption in the Government and make recommendations for their elimination and the observance of high standards of ethics and efficiency.”
In other words, we believe that one of the important roles of the Ombudsman is to identify and seek to eradicate corruption opportunities wherever they may occur.
The existence of secret funds is, in itself, a corruption opportunity. Those who defend their need for secret funds should, therefore, be prepared to explain clearly why they are needed within their sphere of responsibility.
Also, the Ombudsman should be alert to the dangers of secret funds which should be eradicated where possible.
Does Department of Education Secretary Sara Duterte need secret funds to run her Department? Did previous DepEd Secretary Leonor Briones need secret funds?
The Philippines is rated as 115th of our 172 countries by Transparency International. Ten years ago, we were 84th. In other words, there are 30 countries which are now considered to be less corrupt than the Philippines compared to 2013.
It would be helpful if the Ombudsman initiated a Corruption Prevention Department. Countries which are deemed to be less corrupt than the Philippines spend more effort on the preventive role. This means they seek to establish where there are corruption opportunities.
Organizations, such as banks, where existence depend on the fact that we trust them, have audit departments which vigorously identify and implement procedures which are successful at corruption prevention.
It would be good if the Ombudsman’s Department could have the same level of success in the Government sector.
We would like to see a closer relationship between the Ombudsman and the Commission on Audit to identify how they can work together to reduce corruption opportunities./PN
