ON JULY 26, 2018, Samuel R. Martires was appointed Ombudsman. He replaced Conchita Carpio-Morales who had completed her seven year term.
We tend to see the Ombudsman as someone who investigates complaints against allegedly erring individuals. I believe there is insufficient attention given to the preventive dimension of the Ombudsman’s role. The Ombudsman is constitutionally tasked to investigate corruption opportunities as well as situations where corrupt activities may have taken place.
Specifically, Article XI Section 13 (7) of the Constitution gives the Ombudsman the responsibility to: “Determine the causes of inefficiency red tape, mismanagement, fraud, and corruption in the Government and make representations for their elimination and the observance of high standards of ethics and efficiency.”
For the Ombudsman to fulfill his responsibilities, therefore, he needs to seek out corruption opportunities and to redesign Government systems and procedures so as to reduce, preferably eliminate, ways in which malpractice can occur. We would expect, therefore, the Ombudsman to recommend changes in which the national budget for the following year is reached. If implemented effectively then Sen. Ping Lacson would not need to mount what has become an annual crusade to delete or reduce what he believes to be pork barrel insertions.
Why does cash has to be involved? If a Congressman wants a farm-to-market road which receives budget approval, then let the Department of Public Works and Highways deal with it. There is no need for the Congressmen’s office to handle any money.
Why should last-minute revisions of the national expenditures bill be allowed? There has been ample time for Congressmen to make submissions earlier in the year, which are then properly evaluated and which can become part of the budget submitted by the Department of Budget and Management.
All government systems and procedures should be evaluated and, where possible, simplified. A few months ago, Panay News reported an example where the Philippine National Police identified and implemented more efficient procedures for gun license renewal.
More efficiency means less corruption.
We need the Ombudsman’s office to have corruption prevention people who can identify corruption opportunities and then redesign procedures to eliminate those opportunities.
In these days of electronic funds transfers it is easy to ensure that no sticky-fingered intermediaries are involved.
A good start!/PN
