MANILA, Philippines — The Office of the Ombudsman has launched a platfrom for government agencies, the academe and other stakeholders to share information, studies, polices and best practices to curb corruption.
“It is high time that serious discussions on corruption shall not be limited to the confines of the academe... Persistent or highly evolved forms of corruption always pose a destructive and unimaginable dangerous proposition to good governance and public administration,” said Ombudsman Samuel Martires.
Martires said a national household survey conducted by the ombudsman in 2016 showed that one out of 40 families experiences petty or bureaucratic corruption.
“For every 20 households, one household gave bribe money for government transaction. Even those giving the bribe is a party to corruption,” Martires added.
Yesterday, the ombudsman launched its “Sikhay Laban sa Korupsyon (SiLaK” project, a platform to facilitate the sharing of relevant studies, insights and lessons learned among policy makers, local officials, industry practitioners, youth groups and civil organizations to effectively curb corruption.
The launching of the project coincided with the International Anti-Corruption Day celebration.
Vowing their support and participation in the project were Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra, Commission on Audit chairman Michael Aguinaldo, Commission on Higher Education chairman Prospero de Vera, Civil Service Commission chairperson Alicia dela Rosa-Bala, University of the Philippines System president Danilo Concepcion, Philippine Commission on Women division chief Anita Baleda, Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte and Manila Mayor Isko Moreno.
The SiLaK project shall be carried out through the creation of an ombudsman ad hoc committee which shall finalize the project objectives and oversee the project implementation and evaluation.
Among the expected outputs of the project are the annual publication of thematic papers, studies and best practices on fighting corruption; crafting of proposed policy actions, plans and programs for endorsement to incumbent ombudsman; conduct of research on governance and corruption; annual meeting or conference of all major stakeholders on anti-corruption.