Ombudsman celebrates International Anti-Corruption Day; initiates 'Sikhay Laban sa Korapsyon'
In observation of the International Anti-Corruption Day (IACD) today, Dec. 9, the Office of the Ombudsman (OMB) initiated the “Sikhay Laban sa Korapsyon” (SiLaK) to encourage various stakeholders and civil society organizations to fight corruption with the use of technology inter-agency cooperation.
IACD is observed annually since 2003 with the passage of the United Nations Convention Against Corruption.
In a statement, the OMB described its SiLaK initiative as a "collaborative advocacy platform to facilitate data-driven policy development and strategic innovations in the anti-corruption sector." It said "Sikhay Laban sa Korapsyon" means "assiduity and diligence in the fight against corruption."
The OMB said there are four main thrusts to SiLaK. The first goal is to strengthen linkages of justice and anti-corruption stakeholders towards an innovative, sustainable, inclusive, and transformative roadmap against corruption, while the second plans to develop an IT enabled systematic knowledge repository and exchange facilities of anti-corruption studies, experience, and best practices.
The third goal, it said, is to promote data-driven policy development and management to promote integrity and fight corruption, while the fourth goal is to sustain gender mainstreaming in policy-oriented discourse.
"The Office of the Ombudsman which is vested with broad constitutional powers, is cognizant that it must remain dynamic, responsive and collaborative to lead the enforcement of public accountability against graft and corruption, ensure the sanctity of public office as a public trust, and promote high standard of ethics in public service amidst challenges of modern governance and rising expectations from the public," it said.
It also said that one of the highlights of this year's celebration is the inauguration of the HIP (Honesty, Integrity, and Public Accountability) Awards, which recognizes the exemplary acts made by ordinary Filipino citizens that uphold these core values.
The 2023 IACD understands that there is a crucial link between anti-corruption and peace, security, and development, the OMB said. In order to fight corruption, the IACD is highlighting the need for both the ordinary citizenry and the government to work together in overcoming the negative impact of the crime, it said.
"States, government officials, civil servants, law enforcement officers, media representatives, the private sector, civil society, academia, the public and youth, alike, all have a role to play in uniting the world against corruption," the OMB stressed.