Ombudsman Samuel Martires brought up Tuesday the idea of abolishing the Office of the Ombudsman, following the failure of witnesses to come out in the open and testify against corrupt practices in the government rendering the anti-graft body useless.
He made the suggestion during House Committee on Appropriations’ deliberations on the Ombudsman’s P3.36 billion budget for 2021, presided by vice chairperson Zamboanga del Norte 1st District Rep. Romeo Jalosjos Jr.
He said as nobody wants to come out in the open and testify against corruption in the government, it would be better if each agency will have its own anti-corruption program.
“Andaming nagsasabi na corrupt officials , pero pag sinabi mong puwede ka ba gumawa ng affidavit, ayaw na, puro tsismis ang ating naririnig, wala naman hong gustong magtestigo,” the disappointed Martires told the lawmakers.
(Many have been complaining about corrupt officials, but when you ask them to make an affidavit, they will refuse, we are just hearing rumors, nobody wants to testify.)
He cited as a “perfect example” the supposed extensive corruption in the Bureau of Customs (BOC).
"There is always a rumor that there is so much corruption in the Bureau of Customs. But we cannot gather enough evidence because nobody would like to testify. Nobody would like to come out in the open and testify against these corrupt practices. So saan na kami maghahagilap ng ebidensya? (So where are we going to get the evidence?) Kaya sinasabi ko na lang sa mga nagrereklamo, eh kung ayaw nyong lumantad, at magtestify, tumahimik kayo, hindi yung puro kayo tsismis. (That’s why I am telling to those who are complaining, if you don’t want to come out in the open and testify, shut up, rather than spreading rumors),” Martires said.
He observed that the brokers at all costs will protect their business, even though they are complaining about alleged certain corrupt collectors in the BOC.
“Kaya wala kaming nahuhuli, dahil yung mismong nagrereklamo, takot, eh walang mangyayari sa atin pag ganyan. Siguro sabi ko nga umabolish na lang ang Office of the Ombudsman kasi wala namang mangyayari,” the Ombudsman said.
(That’s why we haven’t caught anyone, because those who are complaining are cowed, nothing will happen if that’s the case. Maybe the Office of the Ombudsman should be abolished because nothing is happening.)
“Magkanya-kanya na ang bawat ahensya ng isang programa sa anti-corruption. I-abolish na lang siguro ang Office of the Ombudsman para less din ang gastos ng pamahalaan. Pag naabolish ang Office of the Ombudsman, maaabolish din ang Office of the Sandiganbayan siguro,” Martires added.
(Each agency should have its own anti-corruption program. The Office of the Ombudsman should be abolished so that the government will lessen its expenses. When the Office of the Ombudsman is abolished, the Office of the Sandiganbayan will also be likely abolished.)
He further suggested that the Ombudsman’s budget will be rechanneled to fund social housing projects for the country’s poor.