Cultivate courage and passion for work to counter corruption - Ombudsman

PIA Press Release 2006/02/06

Cultivate courage and passion for work to counter corruption - Ombudsman

by ES Subong

Iloilo City (6 February) -- OIC Deputy Ombudsman for the Visayas Virginia Palanca Santiago told government resident ombudsmen and "graftwatchers" to be courageous in the face of mounting alleged irregularities in government and keep their passion in performing their functions, so that they can battle the decadence that lead to graft and corruption.

Speaking during the launching of a graft and corruption prevention project of the People's Graftwatch of Iloilo, Santiago said that the Filipinos should discover their strength as a people and veer away from an automatic response which is that of indifference in the face of immoralities and acts of corruption.

She lauded the performance of the People's Graftwatch of Iloilo Inc. (PGII) in implementing the project "People's Participation in Corruption Prevention" wherein volunteers are trained to serve as members of graftwatch bodies, in undertaking investigation, filing and litigation of cases, as well as monitoring of these, the province of Iloilo.

Responding to Santiago's cal for courage, Iloilo Governor Neil D. tupas, Sr. said that local leaders should be the first to show that they are fighting corruption in their own level. Governor Tupas also said that he himself welcomed cases filed against him, if ever there are, because proper investigation of such cases can prove his guilt or innocence. If it is the latter, the more that he should be proud serving as a conscientious public servant, doing his best in the interest of the public.

Sangguniang Panglungsod member Hon. Jed Mabilog, representing Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Trenas, said that with the corruption project in Iloilo, the people should become more involved by not allowing themselves to be bribed by incompetent politicians who get elected into office and waste people's money in useless projects.

The PGII's corruption project is funded by the European Commission. It will run for a year, piloting the municipalities of Igbaras, Sta. Barbara, Cabatuan, Dumangas and barotac Viejo, all in Iloilo Province. (PIA 6)

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