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Defiant Hope
The resignation of
Tanodbayan Simeon Marcelo effective November 30 leaves a deep
void and some uncertainty in the nation’s fight against graft
and corruption. It is unfortunate that his health, and we
believe this to be so, could not match the demands of the Office
of the Ombudsman. Indeed the latter calls for heroic love and
leadership, a Herculean role that can take its personal toll.
But we at Barug
Pilipino remain defiantly hopeful.
In his relatively
short stint, Tanodbayan Marcelo managed to turn around public
opinion regarding the said office which, in his own words, was
designed to fail upon its inception. With a low budget that
depends upon Congress-appropriated funding, some
politically-motivated appointments, and an incredibly high
backlog of cases, small wonder a “big fish” has yet to be
convicted.
But there has been
progress. Priorities have been set. Structural defects
identified. Additional funding tapped. The lifestyle check has
led to some convictions and cases involving some “big fish” have
been moving forward. There was credible leadership at the top.
Most importantly, civil society and our Church-based network
found in him an anti-corruption champion worthy of respect and
trust. After all, without support from the larger population, no
government anti-corruption effort can ever hope to succeed.
We are indeed grateful
to God for raising Tanodbayan Marcelo and others like him at the
Office of the Ombudsman as instruments of righteousness. Indeed
the qualities of nobility, integrity, competence, and
effectiveness are what we need of our public servants. And when
our public officials give of themselves, they create spaces of
hope where other concerned believers and citizens can share in
the joyful task of creating a corruption-intolerant culture and
a transformed Filipino nation.
But the challenges
continue. We need to turn our vigilant gaze upon the process of
choosing the new Tanodbayan. Let us make sure that the selection
process is transparent and not perpetuate patronage politics,
particularly in the area of endorsements.
All the candidates
should already be subjected to the Lifestyle Check and possible
conflicts of interest scrutinized, specifically ties with
individuals who have pending cases with the Ombudsman’s Office.
Our voices should be heard. Feedback may be sent to the Judicial
and Bar Council (JBC) Secretariat, 2nd
Floor
Centennial
Building, Supreme
Court, Padre Faura,
Manila or call 02 + 552-9598.
Barug Pilipino can also be contacted at 09209155828.
Finally, let us all
pray for enlightenment, for ourselves, the JBC, and President
Gloria M. Arroyo who has the final say. After all, the work of
social transformation will succeed only if it is animated by
faith, sharing the energies of love, and rooted in a defiant
hope.
Fr. Carmelo O. Diola,
Vice-Chairman, Barug Pilipino,
28 October 2005 |
