PUBLIC ASSISTANCE “MAGSUMBONG SA HOTLINES: OMBUDSMAN”

OMB 9262()662 SA DZRB-RADYO NG BAYAN, 738 Khz 920-3783 LIFESTYLE CHECK Wednesdays, 10-11:00 AM HOTLINES: Call the DZRB Hotlines: 927- 4102/927-2404 Official Publication of the Office of the Ombudsman 924-2610/924-2620 July-December 2011 8 pages Vol. 12 No. 2 ISSN 1909-112X website: http// www.ombudsman.gov.ph 929-0437/929-0441 email: pab.ombudsman.gov.ph Justice Morales is new Ombudsman

By Anna Maria S. Sanchez

JUSTICE CONCHITA CARPIO MORALES assumed office as the 5th Ombudsman of the Republic of the Philippines on 26 July 2011, a day after President Benigno S. Aquino III announced her appointment to the post during his 2nd State of the Nation Address. Immediately after setting foot at the OMB Building in Quezon City, Ombudsman Morales buckled down to work, conducting consultations with ranking officials and reviewing existing organizational structure and policies in the Office. Her first order was to hire additional 100 qualified and competent lawyers to ensure the speedy disposition of pending criminal and administrative cases, which records reveal now reached 11,000. This sets the tenor of her administration’s thrust for the succeeding seven years which is to go after the big fish and ensure successful prosecution of cases. During the turn over ceremony, she vowed to prioritize high profile cases and cleanse the Office of non-performing personnel in an effort to win back the public’s trust and confidence to the anti-graft agency. JUSTICE CONCHITA CARPIO MORALES TAKES HER OATH OF OFFICE AS THE NEW PHILIPPINE OMBUDSMAN BEFORE PRESIDENT BENIGNO S. AQUINO III New OMB / 4

Ombudsman Ombudsman Morales bares 8-point agenda Graft charges filed Morales approves By AO Asryman Rafanan against GMA re: Panel’s Report on OMBUDSMAN CONCHITA CARPIO MORALES ANNOUNCED THE NBN ZTE deal seven-year roadmap of the Office of the Ombudsman in her first press ‘Chopper’ Case conference since she assumed office. By AO Asryman Rafanan In the presscon held on October 14, 2011 at the Ombudsman By Anna Maria S. Sanchez THE OFFICE OF THE Function Room, Ombudsman Morales expounded on the Office’s Ombudsman filed with the policy thrust and 8-point priorities from 2011 to 2018. The strategic OMBUDSMAN CONCHITA Sandiganbayan three plan came after a month-long consultation with the various units and Informations against former Carpio Morales approved the bureaus and a week-long pre-planning workshop and executive plan- President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo (GMA) in connection with InvestigationReport ning session by Ombudsman officials and employees. recommending the conduct of the NBN-ZTE deal. As a policy thrust, Ombudsman Carpio Morales vowed to “en- Ombudsman Conchita preliminary investigation and hance the efficiency, effectiveness, transparency, accountability, cre- Carpio Morales approved the 43- administrative adjudication on the dibility and responsiveness” of the Office of the Ombudsman towards page Resolution submitted on alleged anomalous acquisition by December 23, 2011 by the the “improvement of corruption prevention and control.” As part of Investigating Panel that the Philippine National Police her reform programs, she is vigorously pursuing and prioritizing eight recommended the filing of the (PNP) of two Light Operational identified agenda: Informations, after the panel Chopper / 5 8-Point Agenda / 6 Graft / 4 2 Official Publication of the Office of the Ombudsman July-December 2011 Strengthening JGU Volunteerism: Youth in Action Against Corruption PromptLine By Lulu L. Estonanto Assistant Ombudsman Baliton welcomed all the REQUESTS FOR ASSISTANCE THIS WAS THE THEME prevention programs such JGUs officers and advisers of the successful as the promotion of good to the 15th Anniversary By Lirio E. de Leon-Dizon celebration of the 15th values among Filipino celebration of the JGU Anniversary of the Junior youth and raising their Program. Deputy CLAIMS FOR SURVIVORSHIP PENSION Graftwatch Units (JGUs) sense of righteousness Ombudsman for Luzon and civic consciousness. Francis H. Jardeleza Program held on MR. ROMEO C. BARBA OF SURIGAO CITY December 8, 2011. The The celebration delivered his inspirational event was attended by started at 6:30 A.M. with message to the delight of sought the assistance of the Public Assistance Bu- about 500 JGU officers the “We Walk Our Talk: the JGUs officers and reau (PAB) of the Office of the Ombudsman-Cen- and advisers from the 95 Alay Lakad Kontra advisers. DO Jardeleza tral Office concerning his complaint against GSIS schools of the National Korupsyon” around the and AO Baliton also led officials in Pasay City and Surigao City for alle- Capital Region (NCR), Quezon City Circle Bikers the ribbon cutting of the gedly ignoring his letters to them in connection with JGUs photo exhibit at the Divisions of Pangasinan I Lane led by Overall the discrepancy of his and his children’s claims for and II, and Dagupan City. Deputy Ombudsman OMB Tent. The annual Orlando C. Casimiro, At 1:00PM, the On- survivorship pension on account of the death of celebration aims to PACPO Assistant The-Spot Competitions his wife Marianita C. Barba, a public school teacher strengthen the sense of Ombudsman Evelyn A. were simultaneously held and GSIS member. Mr. Barba claimed that he and camaraderie among JGUs Baliton and CCB Officer- in the different areas of his children were expecting to receive the amount in-Charge Atty. Rhodora the Office. The winners through various social were as follows: Slogan- of Php5,240.28 as monthly pension. However, he and cultural activities and N. Fenix-Galicia. This was Making Contest: received the amounts, Php860.00 and Php970.00 for educational competitions. followed by the Champion: DepEd the months, June and July 2010, respectively. It is also our Office’s way celebration of the Holy Makati (Gen. Pio del Pilar Through letters, PAB referred Mr. Barba’s concerns of recognizing JGUs Mass at the OMB Tent. NHS), 1st Runner-up: efforts in helping the During the program- to GSIS. On January 17, 2011, PAB was glad to be Office implement its graft proper at 11:00 AM, JGU / 7 informed through the letter of Ms. Mercedita Irene, Manager, Public Relations and Monitoring Depart- Teaching Demo on good values held in public schools ment of GSIS, that all the accrued pensions of Mr. Barba and his children from June 2010 up to Janu- By Angel DL. Cusi ary 2011 were already credited to his eCard account Exemplars (GCPE TE) were The GCPE TE with the corrected amount of pension. IN LINE WITH THE held in the public Program which is a joint mandate of the Office of elementary and secondary undertaking with the CLARIFICATION IN THE COMPUTATION the Ombudsman (OMB) in schools to promote the Department of Education OF BUSINESS TAX fighting graft and full integration of the is one of the mainstream corruption through anti- modules of the GCPE TE anti-corruption education MS. ROWENA GO, VICE-PRESIDENT OF ETM corruption education and in the MAKABAYAN and programs of the Office of Tax Agent Office (ETM-TAO), Inc. furnished the promotion, teaching Values Education subjects the Ombudsman which PAB with a copy of their letter to Mr. Edgar T. demonstrations of the at the school level per intends to mold and instill Villanueva, OIC-City Treasurer, Quezon City regar- modules of the Graft and DepEd Memorandum positive values among the ding the status of their letter requesting clarifica- Corruption Prevention Circular No. 13, series of students in the public tion on their assessment for City Tax for 2011. Ms. Education Teaching 2007. elementary and secondary Go mentioned in her letter that their company was schools. With technical assessed using the sales which were computed and assistance from the reflected on their Income Tax Return for 2009 in- European Commission stead of their sales for 2010. PAB wrote to Mr. under the EC-OMB Villanueva relative to Ms. Go’s request. On June 29, Corruption Prevention 2011, PAB received a letter-reply from Mr. Villanueva Project, Improving with the information that their office already an- Governance to Reduce swered Ms. Go’s letter, a copy of which was fur- Poverty, around 200,000 nished to PAB. In said letter, they informed Ms. Go copies of the teaching that after examination and evaluation of their exemplars were printed. company’s records, they found out that there has Ms. Juliet Villano demostrates the teaching of Almost all copies were been an error in the tax base used in the computa- the module “Ang Krayola ni Tina” to the Grade 1 distributed to public tion of the company’s business tax for the year 2011, pupils of Batangas South Elementary School. Ob- elementary and secondary hence, the overpayment will be refunded in the form serving the demo are District Supervisors, Prin- of tax credit to be applied in full to the tax obligation cipals, MAKABAYAN and Values Education teach- schools nationwide ers of the Division of Batangas City. of Ms. Go’s company. Teaching / 5 July-December 2011 Official Publication of the Office of the Ombudsman 3 Punish the Guilty IAAGCC Updates By Jelbert L. Perdez By Atty. Gerry I. Ledesma • NEW OMBUDSMAN received, DBM and DOF’s the framework of the PNP Officials Convicted of Graft calls IAAGCC Meeting. acceptance to the Council Council. On 02 September 2010, were approved during the • IAAGCC Holds THE SANDIGANBAYAN Then Director of the Ombudsman Conchita Council’s meetings on 02 Strategic Planning. On convicted two retired and PNP Logistics and Sup- Carpio Morales called a September 2011 and 07 December 14-15, 2011, a seven active police offi- port Command Nartatez, meeting of the Inter- October 2011, Strategic Planning Agency Anti-Graft respectively. Conference was held in cials for graft in connec- approved the POs where tion with the P38 million Coordinating Council Best Western Premier F1 the splitting of contracts (IAAGCC) which member- Hotel. It was attended by worth of ghost purchases • ODESLA Replaces occurred. Marzan acted as agencies are OMB, CSC, the IAAGCC’s in 1992. PAGC as Member of the purchasing officer COA, PAGC, NBI and DOJ. IAAGCC. The Consulcom members In a 44-page decision while Espeña, then chief of The Principals of the Presidential Anti-Graft representing the member- penned by Associate Jus- the PNP Procurement Cen- member-agencies who Commission (PAGC), one agencies and their tice Alexander G. ter, requested the pur- attended the meeting of the founding members Principals. The process, Gesmundo, the Anti-Graft were: COA Chairperson structure, programs and chases of the equipment. of the IAAGCC was Court’s Fifth Division Ma. Gracia M. Pulido-Tan, operations of the Council Camello recom- abolished by Executive meted out a penalty of 6 CSC Chairman Francisco were closely examined and mended the approval of Order No. 13, issued on 15 years and 1 month to ten T. Duque III, DOJ November 2010. In re-tuned in the light of the POs and certified that years imprisonment Secretary Leila B. De Lima response to a query current political, social against Chief Supt. (ret.) the expenses were neces- and NBI Director written by Ombudsman and economic demands Magtanggol B. Gatdula. and societal expectations. Everlino Nartatez; Sr. sary and lawful, according Conchita Carpio Morales, to the records. Except for CSC Chair Major decisions/actions Supt. (ret.) Alejandro A. Executive Secretary during the strategic The rest, meanwhile, Duque, all the other Camello; Supts. Obedio Principals were newly- Paquito N. Ochoa that the planning includes: Espeña and Alejandro were found guilty of con- appointed heads of their Office of the Deputy approval of the Camello; Chief Inspectors spiring with the higher respective member- Executive Secretary for resolutions on the Jose de Vera and Adolfo ranking officials when agencies. Assistant Legal Affairs (ODESLA) Merger of Constitutional was designated as member Pamplona Sr.; Sr. Insps. they signed the inspection Ombudsman Evelyn A. Integrity Group (CIG) of the IAAGCC in place of Lloyd Cawan and Leo and acceptance report to Baliton, Presiding Officer into the IAAGCC and the of the IAAGCC the defunct PAGC with Outline of the Proposed Marzan; and PO3 Ramon make it appear that there Undersecretary Ronaldo Lihay-lihay for violation was actual delivery of the Consultative Committee Guidelines of (Consulcom), made a A. Geron as the official Cooperation. The of Section 3(e) of Repub- CCIE. detailed presentation of representative of the approval of the guidelines lic Act No. 3019 (Anti- The Prosecution the history, accomplish- ODESLA to the IAAGCC. was subject to the Graft and Corrupt Prac- Team led by Deputy Spe- ments and status of the inclusion of provisions to tices Act). cial Prosecutor John I.C. IAAGCC. During the • IAAGCC Adopts provide a channel to The Court ordered Turralba of the Office of meeting, the principals UNCAC. At its meeting on access other branches of them to pay the govern- the Special Prosecutor approved the 07 October 2011, the the government (e.g. the ment jointly and severally was able to prove that recommendation that the IAAGCC formally adopted Judiciary), and to correct Chairmanship of the the United Nations deficiencies and craft the amount of there were no deliveries Council shall remain with Convention Against remedies on corruption P38,275,573.50 that was made of the said equip- paid for by the Philippine the Office of the Corruption (UNCAC) as prevention. ment. Ombudsman and urged National Police (PNP) for In its ruling, the Court Ombudsman Morales to the Combat Clothing and noted that there was “a continue as Chairperson. Individual Equipment pattern of splitting the POs (CCIE) but were never de- and checks so that these • DBM and DOF livered. may fall within the sign- Accepted as New They were also per- IAAGCC Members. ing authority of accused petually disqualified from During the meeting of the holding any government Nartatez. This casts se- Ombudsman with Budget position. rious doubt on the regu- Secretary Florencio B. Records of the case larity of the issuance of Abad in July 2011, the showed that to avoid scru- the POs, DVs (disburse- latter proposed that the Department of Budget and tiny by higher authorities, ment Voucher), and check payments.” Management (DBM) and OMBUDSMAN CONCHITA CARPIO MORALES poses the multi-million peso deal the Department of Finance was maliciously divided Concurring with the with other IAAGCC Principals, Consulcom mem- (DOF) be accepted as bers and the secretariat during the Strategic Plan- into 29 purchase orders ruling were Associate Jus- members of the IAAGCC. ning Conference on December 15, 2011 at Best West- (POs) from February to tices Alex L. Quiroz and When their respective ern Premier F1 Hotel, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig. June 1992. Roland B. Jurado. Letters of Intent were 4 Official Publication of the Office of the Ombudsman July-December 2011 5. improved responsiveness of public priority cases. All offices have exceeded their assistance targets: OMB-Luzon resolved 230 or 33% of 6. improved anti-corruption policy and the 697 pending cases involving High Ranking program coordination among sectors Officials (HRO); OMB-Visayas 74 or 50% of 7. rationalization of the functional the 147 pending priority cases; OMB- structure Mindanao, 50 or 13.19% of the 379 priority 8. enhanced transparency and credibility cases, and OMB-MOLEO, 80 or 21.06% of the 380 priority cases. Prior to her appointment, Ombudsman Summing up all the reports submitted by Morales served the Judiciary for 28 years, from the different offices, the Office of the Presiding Judge of the Pili, Camarines Sur Ombudsman has disposed of a total of 606 Regional Trial Court in 1983, to Associate cases; completed fact-finding on a total of 876 OMBUDSMAN CONCHITA CARPIO Justice of the Supreme Court until her complaints; successfully prosecuted a total MORALES receives the OMB Flag from retirement on 19 June 2011. of 35 cases before the Sandiganbayan and the Overall Deputy Ombudsman Orlando C. regular courts; attended to a total of 2,931 Casimiro during the Turn Over Ombudsman Morales succeeded Ma. Merceditas N. Gutierrez, who served the Office requests for assistance and conducted 71 anti- Ceremony held on August 1, 2011 at the corruption seminars nationwide. from 01 December 2005 until her resignation OMB Tent. Looking on are DO for Luzon The Preliminary Investigation, Francis H. Jardeleza (Left), DO for Visayas on 06 May 2011. The previous Ombudsmen Administrative Adjudication and Review Pelagio S. Apostol (2nd - R) and DO for were the late Justice Conrado M. Vasquez Mindanao Humphrey P. Monteroso (Right) Bureau (PARB) which handles cases filed (1988-1995), Aniano A. Desierto (1995-2002), against governors and vice-governors has and Simeon V. Marcelo (2002-2005). disposed of a total of 1,093 cases or 97.67% out of the 1,119 pending cases. This is 17.67% from page 1 NEW OMB First 100 days higher than the targeted disposition of 80%. The Community Coordination Bureau She also ordered the conduct of a Ombudsman Morales marks her first 100 (CCB) of the Public Assistance Corruption Strategic Planning Workshop participated in days in office with almost all bureaus in the Prevention Office (PACPO) which committed by all ranking officials from OMB-Central, Central Office including the area and sectoral to accredit 165 Junior Graftwatch Units (JGUs) OMB-Luzon, OMB-Visayas, OMB-Mindanao, offices exceeding their targets. accredited a total of 238 JGUs in the National OMB-Military and Other Law Enforcement In the OMB-Central Office, the Capital Region and in the areas of Luzon in Offices (OMB-MOLEO) and Office of the Preliminary Investigation, Administrative coordination with the Office of the Deputy Special Prosecutor (OSP) to determine flaws in Adjudication and Monitoring Office (PAMO) Ombudsman for Luzon. the current system and propose solutions to I and II projected resolution of 5% of their Submitted also for approval as part of the improve them. respective pending priority cases. Both offices commitments by the OMB-Central Office’s The result of this series of consultations exceeded their targets: PAMO I has disposed Public Assistance Bureau and Bureau of is the eight-point agenda which Ombudsman of 135 or 74% of the 183 pending priority cases Resident Ombudsmen were the proposed Morales intends to pursue from 2011-2018, while PAMO II has disposed of a total of 37 Manual of Operations for Requests for namely: or 28.46% of the 130 pending priority cases. Assistance Procedure and Feedback Handling 1. disposition of high profile cases The three area and one sectoral offices, Mechanism to ensure that all requests for 2. zero backlog OMB-Luzon, OMB-Visayas, OMB-Mindanao assistance (RAS) are properly and promptly 3. improved “survival” rate of fact-finding and OMB-MOLEO have all committed to acted upon and the proposed BRO Manual of 4. enforced monitoring of referred cases resolve 5% of their respective total pending Operations.

GRAFT from page 1 The five-person Investigating Panel, or act requiring the approval of a board, panel conducted preliminary investigation on the composed of Assistant Ombudsman Marilou or group of which he is a member, and which Complaint filed by Bayan Muna Ancheta-Mejica, Director Nellie Boguen- exercises discretion in such approval, even if Representative Teddy Casiño, former Gabriela Golez, Assistant Special Prosecutor III Roland he votes against the same or does not Representative Liza Maza, and BAYAN Galvan, Graft Investigation and Prosecution participate in the action of the board, Chairperson Maria Carolina Pagaduan-Araullo. Officer II (GIPO II) Leilani Tagulao-Marquez, committee, panel or group” wherein “[i]nterest GMA was charged with violating (i) and GIPO II Richard Buban, was given thirty for personal gain shall be presumed against Section 3(g) of Republic Act (RA) No. 3019 or (30) days, in an Office Order dated November those public officers responsible for the the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, (ii) 23, 2011, within which to complete the approval of manifestly unlawful, inequitable, Section 3(i) of RA 3019, and (iii) Section 7(d) preliminary investigation and submit its or irregular transactions or acts by the board, of RA No. 6713 or the Code of Conduct and report and recommendations. panel, group to which they belong.” Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Under RA 3019, Section 3(g) penalizes Under RA 6713, Section 7(d) prohibits Employees. the act of “[e]ntering, on behalf of the public officials and employees from Likewise charged in the first Information government, into any contract or transaction “solicit[ing] or accept[ing], directly or of having conspired with GMA were former manifestly and grossly disadvantageous to indirectly, any gift, gratuity, favor, First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo, former same, whether or not the public officer entertainment, loan or anything of monetary Department of Transportation and profited or will profit thereby;” while Section value from any person in the course of their Communications (DOTC) Secretary Leandro 3(i) penalizes that of “[d]irectly or indirectly official duties or in connection with any Mendoza, and former Commission on Elections becoming interested, for personal gain, or operation being regulated by, or any (COMELEC) Chairman Benjamin Abalos, Sr. having a material interest in any transaction Next Page Pls. July-December 2011 Official Publication of the Office of the Ombudsman 5 CHOPPER from page 1 First Successful DOH-IDC Police Helicopters (Chopper Practices Act against Jose Miguel National Convention Case). “Mike” Arroyo, former DILG By Bella Aurora C. Asuncion The Special Panel of Secretary Ronaldo Puno, former Investigators, composed of PNP Director General Jesus Deputy Special Prosecutor John Verzosa, Hilario de Vera, THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH gional and Provincial areas made Turralba and Assistant Napolcom Commissioners Integrity Development Commit- their presentations to highlight Ombudsman Joselito Fangon as Avelino Razon, Jr., Miguel tee (DOH-IDC) conducted its 1st their accomplishments, best prac- chairpersons, and Director Maria Coronel, Celia Sanidad-Leones, National Convention with the tices and initiatives, viz: CHD- Olivia Elena Roxas, Graft Director Conrado Sumanga, Jr., theme, “Matuwid na daan tungo CAR in complying with all issu- Investigation and Prosecution and 28 other PNP officers and sa Kalusugan Pangkalahatan” ances, guidelines, rules and regu- lations aimed at establishing an Officer Dennis Mendoza, and personnel; (ii) Falsification by on August 17-18, 2011 at the Bayview Hotel, Roxas Blvd., Ma- agency free of graft and corrup- Graft Investigation and public officers and personnel; and nila. It was attended by DOH Ex- tion; CHD-CARAGA on their In- Prosecution Officer John Zernan (iii) Gross Neglect of Duty and ecutive Committee members such ternal Control Units in conduct- Sambajon as members, submitted Conduct Prejudicial to the Best as Undersecretary David J. ing Ocular Inspection in order to the Investigation Report on time Interest of Service against 21 PNP Lozada, Jr. and Teodoro J. safeguard government expendi- on November 21, 2011. Officers and personnel. Herbosa and Assistant Secretary tures; CHD-Eastern Visayas on The panel acted in The fact-finding Nemesio T. Gako. Participants their campaign against loafing; compliance with the investigators, as nominal were DOH-IDC officers and mem- CHD-Davao Region on their suc- Ombudsman’s directive dated complainants, will file the formal bers, IDC Chairperson and Vice- cess in partnering with the Local October 13, 2011 to conduct a Complaint/s before a Special Panel Chairperson of all Hospitals un- Government Units to foster trans- fact-finding on the Report of Investigating Prosecutors, der the Center for Health Devel- parency; Dr. Fabella Memorial submitted by the Senate Blue created by Ombudsman Carpio opments (CHDs), Special Hospi- Hospital on their efforts of post- Ribbon Committee and the Morales, composed of Director tals and Medical Centers, Spe- ing tarpaulins containing DOH Complaint filed by the PNP Manuel Soriano, Jr., Director Omar cialty/Corporate Hospitals in Memorandum Circular requiring Criminal Investigation and Sagadal, and Director Dennis Metro Manila, and DOH-attached hospitals to have a Registry Book Detection Group. Garcia, who were given a period agencies and bureaus. of Gifts; Jose Reyes Memorial The IDC is the corruption Medical Center on their Moral In its 98-page Investigation of 60 days from the filing of the prevention arm of the DOH. The Renewal Program which encour- Report, the fact-finding panel complaint/s within which to Office of the Ombudsman repre- aged employees to participate in found sufficient evidence to file conduct the preliminary sented by the Resident Ombuds- the Anti-Graft Campaign; CHD- criminal and/or administrative investigation and administrative man sits as a regular member to- Metro Manila in improving their charges of (i) Violation of Section adjudication, and submit its report gether with the National Citizen’s Procurement System; CHD- 3(e) of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt and recommendation. Movement for Free Election CALABARZON in the establish- (NAMFREL) and Transparency ment of their Public Assistance and Accountability Network Desk; Adoption of Gift Policy, GRAFT from page 4 TEACHING from page 2 (TAN). Implementation of PhilGeps in transaction which may be affected through DepEd Division and The DOH-IDC, in its effort to Procurement and Utilization of by the functions of their office.” District Offices from 2007 to 2008 advocate and institutionalize the Biometrics in monitoring employ- anti-corruption campaign of the ees’ attendance; and Batangas In the same Resolution, the with the assistance of the OMB dismissed for insufficiency Department, conducted the first Regional Hospital presented their Millennium Challenge Account IDC Congress and convention to “Kasambahay, KaPhilhealth Pro- of evidence the criminal charge Philippine Threshold Program of plunder as against the four align, showcase best practices gram” which aimed to ensure the (MCA PTP). respondents, the criminal and assess the general output, universal coverage of domestic charges of violations of Section A total of eighteen (18) outcome and impact of the initi- helpers/kasambahay by the 3(b) and (e) of RA 3019 as against elementary and secondary ated anti-corruption policies, con- Philhealth. GMA, Mr. Arroyo and Mr. modules were demonstrated by trol system and handling of cases Aside from paper presenta- Mendoza; and the criminal the teachers and pupils/students against erring officials and em- tions, posters/tarpaulins of the charge of Section 7 (d) of RA 6713 in the Divisions of Caloocan City, ployees of the DOH. IDC activities showcasing their as against Mr. Arroyo and Mr. Manila, Quezon City, Pangasinan At the initiatives of Assistant good practices were also exhib- Mendoza. The criminal charge of I and II, Baguio City, Batangas Secretary Paulyn Jean B. Rosell- ited. Ubial, Chairperson of the DOH- Plaques of Appreciation violations of Sections 4 and 5 of City and District II of Bacoor, RA 3019 against Mr. Arroyo was IDC together with the other DOH- were awarded to former Health Cavite. The Division Superinten- IDC members and in coordination Secretary Francisco Duque III, also dismissed for lack of dents, District Supervisors, jurisdiction. Moreover, the panel with the Office of the Resident Undersecretary David Lozada, Principals and MAKABAYAN recommended the conduct of Ombudsman for DOH, the con- Lydia P. Fernandez (former DOH fact-finding investigation against teachers who attended the vention was realized with a good Asst. Secretary) and Atty. Hilario Emmanuel Ang, Philippine demonstrations expressed their turn out of participants nation- A. Favila, Jr. (former Resident Om- Commercial Attache, for Infidelity commitment to support the full wide which made it a success. IDC budsman for DOH) in recognition implementation of the program. representatives from the NCR, Re- in the Custody of Documents. DOH-IDC / 7 6 Official Publication of the Office of the Ombudsman July-December 2011

8-Point Agenda from page 1 effectiveness of the internal pro- before the Sandiganbayan as delivery. She directed the con- cesses. members of trial prosecution cerned action officer to take suf- Ombudsman Morales re- teams. ficient actions under existing rules Disposition of high-profile cases vealed the plan of creating a Com- to address the requests for assis- Ombudsman Morales vowed mittee on Rules which will con- Enforced monitoring of referred tance and cases referred for me- to zero in on high-profile cases solidate the Internal Rules and cases diation. by prioritizing the disposition of revise the Rules of Procedure of The Ombudsman also plans complaints and cases against the Office of the Ombudsman. to institute a system of monito- Improved anti-corruption policy high-ranking officials, involving The Committee - to be comprised ring “referred complaints and and program coordination among large sums of money, grand cor- of Ombudsman officials, senior cases” under Section 23(2) of the sectors ruption cases, and celebrated or legal experts, and a member of the Ombudsman Act to ensure no The Ombudsman maintained high-profile cases. Integrated Bar of the Philippines unreasonable delay in the termi- a three-pronged approach in the Ombudsman Morales stated - shall revisit and fill in any gap in nation of the administrative pro- war against corruption: enforce- that the Office of the Ombudsman the system and processes of the ceedings. ment, prevention, and anti-corrup- “should not be satisfied in catch- Office. She cites as instances the tion promotion. In devising a ing the ‘small fish,’ as it must go criminal cases referred by the Of- multi-sectoral strategy to mobilize after the school of ‘big fish’ lurk- Improved “survival” rate of fact- fice of the Ombudsman to the the support of stakeholders, Om- ing in government offices.” finding Department of Justice for pro- budsman specifies that a review She explained that the Office Under its third priority, the secution in the regular trial courts, of guidelines in the accreditation of the Ombudsman shall effec- Office of the Ombudsman aims to which shall be monitored until of private entities as partners/ tively reduce the volume of non- enhance the quality of the initial their final disposition in court, and units shall be made. priority complaints and cases - stage of fact-finding or evidence- Ombudsman decisions in admin- i.e., non-corruption cases, frivo- gathering following the stan- istrative cases that are eventually Rationalization of the functional lous cases, and cases involving dards of a fair, impartial and expe- indorsed to the heads of con- structure offenses committed not in relation ditious case build-up. Ombuds- cerned agencies for implementa- Ombudsman Carpio Morales to office - which may be coordi- man Carpio Morales intends to tion of the administrative penalty, reported that the selection pro- nated with or referred to other fo- train field investigators in special- which shall be strictly monitored cess in the hiring of more than 100 rums or agencies upon the forg- ized techniques like forensic en- to ensure compliance therewith. lawyers - one of her first pro- ing or renewal of Memoranda of gineering and forensic auditing. nouncements during her first few Agreement/Understanding One specific measure that Improved responsiveness of days in office - is in full swing. (MOAs/MOUs) with government the Office of the Ombudsman is public assistance Under this seventh priority, agencies like the Civil Service looking at is the gradual integra- She also enjoined Ombuds- the Ombudsman stated that the Commission and the Department tion of prosecutorial functions, man officials and employees to review of the existing functional of Justice. where the trial prosecutors of the render meaningful, responsive, structure of the Office is aimed at Office of the Special Prosecutor and relevant public assistance. identifying gaps and overlaps in Zero backlog shall be involved in the prelimi- According to Ombudsman the discharge of various To remedy the caseload of nary investigation as members of Morales, a system for active han- functions, rationalizing task more than 11,000 pending crimi- investigating prosecution panels, dling of public feedback and re- assignment and division of work nal and administrative cases, while the graft investigation of- dress of grievance shall be estab- processes, and arriving at an accounting of personnel and Ombudsman Morales undertook ficers at the Central Office shall lished to ensure compliance with to monitor the strict enforcement be involved in the trial of cases this standard of public service Next Page Pls. of the prescribed time frames un- der existing rules, which monitor- ing will be easily facilitated upon the full operation of the comput- ISSN 1909-112X Vol. 12 No. 2 erized and centralized Uniform Editor-In-Chief Editorial Advisers Case Monitoring System early Atty. Rhodora N. Fenix-Galicia Justice Conchita Carpio Morales 2012. She added that cases in- Ombudsman volving retiring public officials AO Asryman T. Rafanan Managing Editor AO Evelyn A. Baliton and employees shall also be re- Angel De Lara-Cusi solved with dispatch. “Given the enormity of the Layout Artist Community Coordination Bureau workload, it seems like an impos- Petronilo V. Pauya Office of the Ombudsman sible dream to set a goal of zero Ground Floor, Agham Road backlog, but a seven-year period Diliman, Quezon City 1101 is ahead of us. A good start is to Photographers Jessie A. Suguitan Telephone Numbers: gain ground in achieving it and, Dennis C. Gonzales (02) 9268781 eventually, sustain that momen- 9269032 - 40 loc. 112, 113, 122 tum,” she remarked. She added Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales presents the Circulation Telefax: 9268780 that zero backlog will depend on Operational Definition of the Policy Thrust and 8-point CCB Staff email: the collective efficiency of the en- priorities during the first day of the Pre-Planning Work- [email protected] tire human resources and the shop on September 19, 2011. July-December 2011 Official Publication of the Office of the Ombudsman 7 8-Point Agenda from page 6 DOH-IDC from page 5 Pagbabago: Integrity as a achievement level in the Way of Life.” Asst. Com- Integrity Development other resources. She com- with the public. She in- of their invaluable sup- missioner Limare deli- Assessment during the mitted to adopt such tends to review the exist- port, contributions and vered a talk on Progress maiden run of the program with the other 10 agencies structure, staffing pattern, ing policy on access to hardwork for the imple- Towards an Incorruptible in the 2nd Cycle. systems, and procedures information regarding mentation of the recom- Civil Servants and Ms. A Special Session that are uniform in its cen- cases being investigated mendations in the Integ- Gomez tackled Financial Integrity. with the Office ofthe Om- tral and area/sectoral of- and prosecuted, and poli- rity Development Action The program was budsman and NAMFREL fices. cies regulating personnel Plan and for various Anti- Her initial assess- Graft and Corruption Pre- highlighted by the mes- was held. Atty. Joebil B. action and procurement sages of Undersecretary Delmoro, Resident Om- ments show that there are activities. According to vention Programs of the units or bureaus that are Lozada and Director budsman for DOH and the Ombudsman, a com- Department of Health. Guillermo. NAMFREL Secretary Gen- undermanned while some prehensive Communica- Invited to grace the are over-manned, and the Undersecretary eral Mr. Eric Jude O. Alvia tion Plan shall be adopted. occasion as resource per- Lozada emphasized on the served as discussants. existing staffing pattern “In improving public sons were Secretary shows a drift towards the need to institutionalize Atty. Delmoro shared perception, however, there Enrique T. Ona, DOH; change and reforms in the some of the corruption “career plateauing” at the is still no substitute to Asst. Commissioner middle management level. DOH through values ori- prevention programs of the doing one’s job well,” she Rogelio C. Limare, Civil She warned that appro- entation. He likewise rec- Office of the Ombudsman. said. Service Commission; Di- priate management action ognized the important Various issues, con- rector Mary Susan S. shall be taken against all Ombudsman roles of the participants, cerns, problems and diffi- non-performing officials Morales, a retired Justice Guillermo, Office of the being officers of their re- culties encountered by and personnel. of the Supreme Court, as- Ombudsman; Fr. Albert spective IDCs, in achiev- the different IDCs were sumed office a day after Alejo, Ateneo de ing these goals. Director raised and discussed Enhanced transparency President Benigno Aquino Zamboanga; Ma. Corazon Guillermo revisited the during the open forum. and credibility III announced her appoint- Gomez, Commission on objective of the project The 1st DOH Integrity The Ombudsman ment during his State of Audit; and Eric Jude Alvia, Pursuing Reforms through Development Committee vowed to observe trans- the Nation Address on NAMFREL. Integrity Development National Convention was parency in all its dealings July 25, 2011. Fr. Albert Alejo gave Review (PRIDE) in the a success as it inspired the his presentation with the DOH which is to assist the participants to become in- theme “Tungo sa Department in establish- volved in the implementa- ing a culture of profes- tion of the DOH Strategy sionalism and integrity. of attaining quality health JGU from page 2 She also mentioned the services for every one importance of corruption through the good gover- DepEd Mandaluyong prevention programs in nance aspect in relation to (Isaac Lopez Integrated enhancing organizational the general mandate and School), 2nd Runner-up: integrity and in rendering functions of the DOH, and DepEd Parañaque responsive public service. truly become champions in (Parañaque Science HS); Finally, she praised the the fight against graft and Editorial Cartoon DOH for topping the corruption. Competition: Champions: DepEd Las Piñas (Las from page 8 Piñas NHS) Francis OMB LEADS Jayson Fabi, and DepEd ness and to oversee the is set to be held in the first Caloocan (Llano HS) Ma. implementation of the quarter of 2012. Elena C. Defeo, 1st Operationalization The annual assembly Programme.” of the Multi-Sectoral Anti- Runner-up: DepEd Makati The two-day seminar- (Gen. Pio del Pilar NHS) workshop, which aims to Corruption Council Cedriane M. Ponce; increase awareness among (MSACC) was also held in Chalk-Mural micro, small and medium the same day. MSACC Competition: Champions: enterprises “that corrup- serves as the advisory and DepEd Marikina and San tion is an unacceptable consultative body of the Juan (Parang HS & San practice according to law,” NACPA. Juan NHS), 1st Runner- ODO Orlando C. Casimiro leads the OMB officials up: DepEd Caloocan Simulan ng kabataan (Manuel L. Quezon HS, & employees and the JGUs officers and advisers Ang gawang kabutihan, during the “Alay Lakad Kontra Korupsyon” at the Llano HS, Sampaguita QC Bikers Lane (top photo). DO Francis H. Jardeleza HS), 2nd Runner-up: Korapsyon ay labanan and AO Evelyn A. Baliton, assisted by OIC Rhodora DepEd Las Piñas, Pasig Para sa magandang kinabukasan. N. Fenix-Galicia and Ms. Lourdes L. Estonanto, lead and Malabon (Sta. Lucia the ribbon cutting during the opening of the JGU HS, Pinagbuhatan HS, photo exhibit at the OMB Tent. Panghulo NHS, Las Piñas North NHS). 8 Official Publication of the Office of the Ombudsman July-December 2011 Ombudsman leads Philippine commemoration of International Anti-Corruption Day

By Anna Maria S. Sanchez

THE PHILIPPINES JOINS also led the signing of the other United Nations-mem- Memorandum of Understand- ber countries in commemora- ing (MOU) on the establish- ting International Anti-Cor- ment of a Steering Commit- ruption Day on December 9, tee to implement the Project 2011 through the signing of a on the Asia Pacific Economic covenant among all branches Cooperation (APEC) Code of of government and private Conduct for Business with sector for a unified and vigo- representatives from the go- rous effort against corrup- vernment: Department of tion. Foreign Affairs, Department The event was held at of Trade and Industry and Se- the Garden Ballroom of the OMBUDSMAN CONCHITA CARPIO MORALES poses with Senate President Juan curities and Exchange Com- EDSA Shangri-La in Ortigas Ponce Enrile, House Speaker Feliciano R. Belmonte, other government officials mission, and from the private Center, Mandaluyong City. and representatives from the NGOs after the signing of the Covenant to sup- sector: National Competitive- Ombudsman Conchita port the NACPA during the commemoration of International Anti-Corruption ness Council, Women’s Busi- Carpio Morales led the sign- Day held at the Garden Ballroom of the EDSA Shangri-La Manila on December 9, ness Council of the Philip- ing of the covenant together 2011. pines, and the Asian Institute with the heads of the diffe- bayan Presiding Justice Northern Luzon Coalition for continuing, and effective par- of Management. rent branches of government: Francisco H. Villaruz, Jr. for Good Governance for the civil ticipatory consultations Under the said MOU, Executive Secretary Paquito the Judiciary; Mr. Tan society. among the various stakehold- the parties “have agreed to N. Ochoa for the Executive Ching, President of the Fed- Under the Covenant of ers against corruption and join hands as a multi-sectoral Department; Senate Presi- eration of Filipino-Chinese Support to the National Anti- align all anti-corruption initia- Steering Committee to de- dent Juan Ponce Enrile for the Chambers of Commerce and Corruption Program of Action tives undertaken by govern- velop and implement the Senate; Speaker Feliciano R. Industry, Inc. for the private (NACPA), the parties commit ment, civil society, and the Philippine-proposed Semi- Belmonte for the House of sector; and Pura Sumangil, to “come together and join private sector under a unified nar-Workshop for the Representatives; Court Ad- Chairperson of the Con- hands in supporting an anti- comprehensive strategic Implementation of APEC ministrator Jose Midas P. cerned Citizens of Abra for corruption convergence pro- framework.” Code of Conduct for Busi- Marquez, and Sandigan- Good Government and the cess that will promote wide, Ombudsman Morales OMB LEADS/ 7 OMB-Luzon welcomes litigator-professor Jardeleza as new Deputy Ombudsman

By Melissa Christina S. Santos 1990, he went on solo prac- Alumni Foundation, and a Reform Specialist. She is also tice after which, he joined Roco member of the U.P. Law Cen- a long time professorial lec- turer and newly appointed RECOGNIZED LAWYER lege of Law (UP Law) in Buñag Kapunan Migallos and tennial Commission. He is Diliman, Quezon City in Jardeleza, as partner, heading also an active alumnus of UP Associate Dean of UP Law. and Constitutional Law pro- They have three children: fessor Francis H. Jardeleza 1974. He placed third in the its labor and litigation prac- Visayas. tice. DO Jardeleza is married Atty. Ma. Carmen, Francis becomes the 5th Deputy 1974 Bar exams with an av- Albert, Jr. and Ma. Teresa to Atty. Concepcion L. Ombudsman (DO) for Luzon erage of 88.35%. From 1996 to 2010, DO who has just recently joined Jardeleza was Senior Vice Jardeleza, herself an accom- after earning the nomination In 1977, DO Jardeleza the office as Executive Assis- President and General Coun- plished academician and a Law of the Judicial and Bar Coun- obtained his Master of Laws tant to the Deputy Ombudsman. sel of San Miguel Corporation cil and subsequent appoint- degree at Harvard Law for which he handled labor ment by President Benigno S. School in Massachusetts, U.S.A. In the same year, he cases, mergers and acquisi- Aquino, III on 8 July 2011. was admitted to the New tions, corporate restructuring, DO Jardeleza is in the York State Bar and the US securities, intellectual prop- process of learning the inter- Eastern and Southern Dis- erty and corporate governance. nal systems of the office. His tricts of New York. Throughout his career as present concern is to help in DO Jardeleza began his litigator and corporate lawyer, the ongoing discussions on career in litigation when he DO Jardeleza has handled pro new strategic direction in or- joined the Angara Abello bono cases, argued before the der to support the priorities Concepcion Regala and Cruz Supreme Court on constitu- of the new Ombudsman, Jus- (ACCRALAW) in 1975 and tional law issues, and sat on tice Conchita Carpio Mo- became the law firm’s part- the board of local and foreign rales. ner in 1981. He later went corporations. A native of Jaro, Iloilo on to become Chairman of A UP Law professorial City, DO Jardeleza was an ACCRALAW’s litigation de- lecturer since 1993, DO outstanding graduate of UP partment. Jardeleza has taught Civil Pro- Iloilo where he earned his de- In 1987, DO Jardeleza cedure, Administrative Law, Atty. FRANCIS H. JARDELEZA takes his oath as the gree in Political Science. He founded Jardeleza and Constitutional Law. He Deputy Ombudsman for Luzon before Justice Cielito Mendaro-Grulla of the Court of Tax Appeals. also graduated salutatorian Sobreviñas Diaz Hayudini also lectured on Commercial Witnessing the ceremony are his wife, Atty. and cum laude at the Univer- Law at the UP Law Center. and Bodegon, engaging in the Concepcion and daughter, Ma. Teresa. sity of the Philippines Col- practice of labor law. In He is a trustee of the U.P. Law