Ex-Ombudsman: Constitution requires honesty in public officers
MANILA, Philippines — Former chief graftbuster Conchita Carpio Morales on Thursday stressed the significance of honesty in public officers as the senatorial campaign continues.
In a statement, the former Ombudsman, now head of Akademyang Filipino, said: “If we do not exact or demand honesty in our candidates, we might end up voting for fake public servants who are dishonest and will betray the public trust for personal gain.”
Akademyang Filipino is a non-government organization of “pre-eminent achievers” from the various fields including arts, sciences, government and academia.
READ: Filipino academics lament death of honesty, sincerity among officials
Morales is currently chair of the organization’s board of trustees.
The former Ombudsman, quoting the Constitution, reiterated: “The State shall maintain honesty and integrity in the public service.”
“Upholding the Constitution is part of every public officer’s oath of office,” she also said.
Morales did not make any reference to the controversial statement of her niece Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte, who is campaign manager of the Hugpong ng Pagbabago slate.
Mayor Duterte earlier said that honesty is not an election issue because “everybody lies,” in response to questions on Ilocos Norte Gov. Imee Marcos’ educational background.
Reporters hounded Marcos in different campaign sorties to get her statement on the reports from Princeton University and University of the Philippines’ officials denying that she has degrees from their schools, but she continued to dodge questions.
Duterte’s statement earned criticism from the opposition slate and from Vice President Leni Robredo.
The Davao mayor’s mother, Elizabeth Zimmerman, stepped into the word war between the two and told Duterte to end her “bullying.”
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