Ombudsman’s inclusion eyed in joint memo vs tobacco

MANILA, Philippines — The Civil Service Commission yesterday proposed revisions in a joint memorandum circular issued by the CSC and Department of Health to strengthen efforts to stop cigarette companies from circumventing anti-tobacco policies.

CSC assistant commissioner Ariel Ronquillo said they are looking at including the Office of the Ombudsman in the fight against “tobacco industry interference” in the government. 

“We are planning to include Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales to prosecute higher people in government who are not within our jurisdiction,” Ronquillo said during the launch of the Health Justice Philippines (HJP)’s Tobacco Industry Interference Index Philippine Report 2017.  

“The circular is not fully implemented because there are agencies receiving gifts from tobacco firms. Most of these alleged interactions are at higher level,” he added.

Ronquillo cited the case of two heads of government agencies in the Visayas who accepted sponsorship from tobacco companies for conferences they held early this year.

He said concerned individuals have filed a complaint with the CSC, but since the officials are not under them, they forwarded the case to the Office of the Ombudsman. 

“Sucessful prosecution is the best deterrence, that’s why we are pushing for amendment to the circular,” he said.

HJP president Mary Ann Fernandez-Mendoza said tobacco companies circumvent policies by initiating partnership with government agencies, local government units and public officials under the guise of corporate social responsibility programs.

She said the tobacco industry hides “behind their so-called foundations and welfare organizations, deceiving the public into believing that they are not violating the government’s policies.”