SC, ombudsman partner with UN bodies vs corruption

MANILA, Philippines — The Supreme Court and the Office of the Ombudsman renewed their partnerships with agencies of the United Nations to ensure sustained independence of the judiciary and prevention of corrupt practices.

Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla met with officials from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC)’s Southeast Asia and the Pacific anti-corruption team in a courtesy call held at his office last week.

During the meeting, both offices discussed the creation of training and other engagements focused on “financial investigations, digital evidence, anti-money laundering, corruption prosecution, asset recovery and international cooperation.”

They also brought up possible engagements in the future, including the “development of a unified National Anti-Corruption Framework for the Philippines.”

Remulla said “the strong growing partnership between the Office of the Ombudsman and the UNODC is vital in advancing anti-corruption efforts, institutional capacity building and international cooperation.”

Meanwhile, the SC worked with the UNODC and the UN’s High Commission for Human Rights in organizing a workshop for judicial and court officials from South and Southeast Asia regions that aimed to uphold independence of the judiciary.