Anti-corruption group supports Ombudsman's proposed reforms
By DAVID DIZON, abs-cbnNEWS.com, march 13, 2005

LINK

A coalition of business, civic and religious groups expressed support for reforms proposed by Ombudsman Simeon Marcelo in the government's anti-corruption drive.

The Coalition Against Corruption (CAC) pointed out that the Sandiganbayan has a backlog of 2,000 corruption cases.

Marcelo earlier proposed that corruption cases involving less than P1 million be relegated to regional trial courts to free individual Sandiganbayan judges to hear cases involving P1 million to P5 million.

"All the cases filed before the anti-graft court are heard on a collegial basis, which limits the number of cases heard," said Ramon del Rosario, CAC president. He said that because of the long process, it takes six to seven years for the anti-graft court to reach a verdict for a case.

The CAC is coordinating with the Philippine Bar Association for possible recruitment of volunteer lawyers who can prepare and prosecute cases with the Office of the Ombudsman.

Del Rosario, finance secretary during the Ramos administration, cited as example the impeachment of jailed ex-president Joseph Estrada, where private counsels worked pro bonowith government prosecutors for the case.

He also said the allotment of P140 million in additional funds for the Office of the Ombudsman this year will help the office hire lawyers and prepare cases against corrupt public officials.

Del Rosario said more effort is needed to dispel perception that the government is corrupt. "Everyone must do their part in the fight against corruption. We must change the reality first before the perception," he said.

Role of media

The CAC also cited the role of media in the fight against corruption, particularly covering landmark cases against top government officials.

Guillermo Luz, Makati Business Club president, called on media practitioners to provide consistent coverage of prominent corruption cases including the plunder case against former military comptroller Maj. Gen. Carlos Garcia, the P25-billion tax evasion case against tobacco tycoon Lucio Tan and the Supreme Court case on the botched P1.3-billion automated counting machine project with Mega Pacific Consortium.

"We have to watch these cases closely because a conviction in just one of these cases would be a big boost in the country's struggle against corruption," said Luz.

"We would be happy for more media coverage. We want to see more of the urgency and continuity in covering these stories," he said.

Augusto Lagman, former president of the Information Technology Foundation of the Philippines (ITFP), said strong media support against the automated voting project led to an immediate court decision last year.

The ITFP filed the case against the P1.3-billion project in August 2003 and got a decision from the Supreme Court in January 2004.

"The case was filed, justice was meted out immediately and there was strong media support. We need all three to ensure that corruption will not thrive," he said.

Luz said media coverage will play an important role in the Tan tax evasion case, which has dragged for more than 10 years.

He reminded journalists to give space to the latest developments on the case of Gen. Garcia, who is accused of illegally amassing P100 million during his four-year stint as Armed Forces comptroller.

Bishop Dinualdo Gutierrez, National Secretariat for Social Action chairman, commended the role of media in exposing corrupt activities of public officials.

He said the church recognizes the role of media as a shaper of values. He said media should also report accomplishments of government agencies.
abs-cbnNEWS.com