As chairholder of the 2016 Metrobank Foundation Professorial Chair for Public Service and Governance, Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales delivered a lecture on “Building a Corruption Intolerant Society and Sustaining an Inter-generational National Anti-Corruption Agenda” at the Ateneo Professional Schools Auditorium in Makati City last 16 February 2016.
Ombudsman Morales discussed the various initiatives of the Office of the Ombudsman to strengthen its institutional capacity and to increase work efficiency, including the rationalization of the functions of various bureaus, the filtering of complaints filed with the Office, and assessment of processes of key government agencies in terms of risks and vulnerability to corruption.
She noted that these efforts resulted in the resolution of 6,707 administrative and criminal cases in 2015. The number of cases awaiting action by the court she added, decreased by 16% despite a 2% increase in new cases filed. The Office of the Ombudsman is targeting to attain zero case backlog by 2018.
“The Ombudsman is concerned not only about the disposition of complaints filed before the Office. It still has to mind cases it filed with the Sandiganbayan and regular courts, as well as its task of promoting awareness on good governance and campaigning for sound public administration,” Ombudsman Morales said.
Recognizing that the most important stakeholder in the battle against corruption is the Filipino public, the Ombudsman has also taken steps to mobilize broader support for its work.
Ombudsman Morales highlighted that “a paradigm shift in people’s perspective is needed to make most effective the reforms installed in various institutions.”
“One does not need to be a member of the civil service or to hold an appointive or elective post in government to be a public servant,” added Ombudsman Morales. She added that one must “bear in mind the best interest of the public, and to put it above one’s own if conflict arises.”
On a final note, Ombudsman Morales said that “for those of us in the public service, we get up for everyone—even for people we don’t even know” as the Ombudsman came to be to address the need for reliable, effective, inexpensive and honest public service while insulating itself against outside pressure and improper influence.”
Aniceto Sobrepeña, President of Metrobank Foundation, agreed with Morales and highlighted the role of the private sector as a partner in good governance. “You may ask, what is in it for the private sector if it champions governance that is effective, accountable, and upholds the rule of law? For many, the most obvious answer is that good governance creates a stable environment conducive to the pursuit of business goals. But let me add our take at the Metrobank Group – that it is simply our responsibility as citizens. We, who benefit from the freedoms afforded by a democratic society, must ensure that our countrymen enjoy similar prosperity and happiness,” he said.
A joint undertaking between Metrobank Foundation and Ateneo de Manila University, the professorial chair seeks to give due recognition to public servants who are exemplary models of leadership and professionalism. It aims to strengthen the pillars of our government by furthering research and educating the citizenry on public-interest issues.
Since its establishment in 2000, the Professional Chair for Public Service and Governance has been awarded to advocates of good governance including former Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario, Social Work and Development Secretary Corazon “Dinky” Soliman, and Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Teresita “Ging” Deles. ###