A former solon said measures should be enacted to ensure that complaints filed with OMB are subjected to more rigorous scrutiny before filing cases in the Courts so that government funds are not wasted.
STRESSING that the Office of Ombudsman was being used as a tool to harass government officials by some unscrupulous individuals and groups who were filing cases indiscriminately without sufficient basis and proof, former Congresswoman Mari Mitzi “Mitch” Cajayon-Uy has called for urgent reforms in the anti-graft body’s functions and mandates.
Cajayon-Uy Ombudsman made the call following her acquittal at the Sandiganbayan from graft and malversation cases filed against her at the OMB.
She said her call for reform was timely even as other measures should be enacted to ensure that complaints filed with OMB are subjected to more rigorous scrutiny before the filing of cases in the Courts so that government funds are not wasted.
The former legislator added that it is imperative that all complaints filed with the Ombudsman must be accompanied by solid evidence to ensure that the cases have sufficient grounds and that they are not just being used as black propaganda especially during the election season.
According to Cajayon, out of the P4.82 billion budget of the Office of the Ombudsman for 2019, P643.2 million (51%) was spent on its anti-corruption investigation program, resulting in only 17.88% of those charged with criminal and administrative charges.
In addition, P469.3 million, or 37.3% of the 2019 OMB budget, was spent on its anti-corruption enforcement program, which contributed to only 25% of criminal and civil cases prosecuted and resulted in the verdict of the Courts.
Moreover, she said that government officials, like her who were wrongly charged but had to endure shame and tarnished reputation, must be protected and be compensated after they were cleared of charges against them.
Tags: #government, #corruption, #Ombudsman