MANILA, Philippines – At least 25 high school students from Pangasinan graduated on Saturday from an anti-graft and corruption training program of the Office of the Ombudsman.
Groomed to be the country’s next leaders, the participants finished their course under the Young Leaders Integrity Development Camp project.
The anti-graft agency said the program aims to mold the youth to become new breed of leaders who would rid the country of graft and corruption.
The ombudsman picked the students of a public high school in Rosales, Pangasinan as beneficiaries of the program.
Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales led the launch of the development camp last week.
“We are well aware that this is an important step in the country’s development. Knowledge, awareness and good values will lead to success and development,” Carpio-Morales said in her speech.
She expressed belief that if the young generation would be guided in the right direction, the culture of palakasan, takipan, and padrino system would neither be practiced nor tolerated.
Deputy ombudsman for Luzon Gerard Mosquera said they plan to implement the project in the entire country.
He said the program seeks to instill among the participants the right ideas, values and attitude.
“If our kids have the right values, they will become good leaders and examples to their communities,” Mosquera said.