Manila:The Office of the Ombudsman and the Justice Sector Coordinating Council (JSCC) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) aimed at strengthening the government's efforts in combating corruption. This agreement focuses on addressing delays in corruption-related cases and improving coordination among key justice system institutions.
According to Philippines News Agency, the JSCC, established on April 30, 2010, serves as a collaborative forum for primary justice sector institutions, including the Supreme Court, Department of Justice, and Department of the Interior and Local Government, to facilitate information sharing and joint initiatives.
During the signing ceremony at the Supreme Court Division Hearing Room in Manila, Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla highlighted the importance of institutional independence and meaningful cooperation, which he said reinforce each other. He emphasized that corruption does not confine itself to a single government agency, nor should the response to it.
Remulla stated that combating corruption requires a coordinated approach that involves investigation, prosecution, adjudication, and enforcement, along with measures to prevent wrongdoing before it occurs. He stressed the need for proactive action to protect public funds, government services, and public trust.
The agreement mandates the participating institutions to enhance cooperation to address bottlenecks in corruption-related cases and improve secure information-sharing and digital systems. The Office of the Ombudsman, as part of the JSCC, aims to develop joint initiatives in areas like financial crimes, asset recovery, cyber-enabled corruption, and digital forensics.
Remulla urged that the memorandum should lead to tangible improvements in justice administration, emphasizing the need for concrete programs, clear responsibilities, realistic timelines, and measurable results. He also assured that the Office of the Ombudsman will continue its constitutional mandate independently while cooperating with other institutions.
