Statement from the Office of the Ombudsman, Republic of the Philippines
In pre-COVID 19 days since its establishment, the Office of the Ombudsman has already seen how corruption has evolved and persisted despite the many efforts at prevention and at deterrence through prosecution of offenders. In these times, corruption even found an ally in the global health emergency wherein urgencies in operations and quarantine measures may have falsely bolstered the confidence among perpetrators that corrupt activities would go unnoticed as the vigilant public becomes locked down.
With this pervasiveness, the Office of the Ombudsman is one with the international community in underscoring the importance of a whole-of-society approach to combat corruption. The Office acknowledges what the 2021 International Anti-Corruption Day seeks to highlight – all stakeholders “including States, Government officials, civil servants, law enforcement officers, media representatives, the private sector, civil society, academia, the public and youth” have a crucial role to play in advancing the anti-corruption agenda. As such, all should be empowered and be involved in order to play such role with much potency and conviction.
In show of support to the 2021 International Anti-Corruption Day campaign, the Office of the Ombudsman remains steadfast in discharging its duty through an inclusive corruption prevention campaign and an investigation and prosecution that are mindful of the rights and protection of stakeholders. The Office believes that anti-corruption is everyone’s business as it is ultimately the welfare of the rest of the nation that becomes at stake each time our coffers are used for illicit gains and each time a government fails to deliver its duty to serve and protect.
The Office echoes this year’s International Anti-Corruption Day campaign theme and call on each one of us to exercise Your right, your role: Say no to corruption.