Ombudsman orders: Media can't access all public documents

Ombudsman Simeon Marcelo has set a new guideline that not all public documents are accessible to the public.

This was what The Freeman learned when it asked for a copy from the Ombudsman-Visayas of a complaint filed against erring public officials.

Ombudsman-Visayas Director Edgardo Canton told The Freeman that he could not furnish the copy since aside from the fact that the respondents have yet to be informed of the complaint, Marcelo issued an order that all complaints that are still being investigated must remain private.

Another Ombudsman-Visayas director, Virginia Santiago, said that they could not divulge to the media cases involving public officials to give respect to respondents while their cases are still being investigated.

However, the Ombudsman is not stopping the media from securing copies of the complaints from other sources. - Liv G. Campo