Raps vs LGU employees top list in Ombudsman

CEBU, Philippines - As of January 2012, employees from the local government units (LGUs) ranked first as having the most number of cases filed before the Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas.

This was according to the report submitted by Deputy Ombudsman Pelagio Apostol to their Manila office which revealed that there were 40 cases filed against employees from the LGU.

Apostol however explained that having the most number of employees could probably be the reason why LGU employees topped the list compared to other government agencies.

According to Apostol, this does not mean that LGU employees are the most corrupt.

Ombudsman records reveal that LGU employees ranked first out of 12 government agencies with the most number of cases filed. They were then followed by the Department of Education with five cases, then by the government-run colleges and universities with four cases.

The other government agencies listed as having the most number of cases filed before the anti-graft office were from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) with three cases; Land Transportation Office (LTO) with two cases, Philippine Postal Corporation (PPC) with two cases; National Labor Relations and Commission with two cases and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Parole and Probation Office (PPO), Commission on Human Rights (CHR), Office of the Building Official (OBO) and Registry of Deeds all with one case filed each.

Apostol said the cases pending before their office included violations of Republic Act 3019 known as the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act and Republic Act 6713 known as Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials.

He said they have 30 days to resolve the complaint filed before their office. (FREEMAN)