Ombudsman, Jollibee launch integrity dev’t contest

MANILA, Philippines - Children could help eradicate graft and corruption in the country by teaching their parents to be good citizens.

This is the belief of the Office of the Ombudsman, fast-food giant Jollibee Foods Corp. and their private partners in launching the Integrity Development Contest (IDC) at SM North EDSA yesterday.

IDC seeks to instill honesty among the youth through essay writing, poster making and short video production competitions centering on good governance and anti-corruption themes.

The contests are open to all elementary, high school and college students.

The Office of the Ombudsman said the IDC shall grant cash prizes to the winners, including a scholarship grant in filmmaking to the top three finalists in the short video production competition.

Speaking at the launch of the IDC, Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales said children should play a role towards eradicating graft and corruption in government.

“At the end of the day, your own child is always reminding you: ‘Daddy (Mommy), do not take things that are not yours’,” Morales said in an inspirational message thanking Jollibee and other private partners for helping the anti-graft agency in promoting good governance.

“The youth must be initiated to the fundamentals of civic duty and good governance at the earliest possible opportunity,” she said.  

“By translating big words like integrity, transparency and accountability into plain and simple words like being honest, open, upright and answerable for one’s actions, the concept of good governance is as easy to grasp as ABC,” she added.

Jollibee executives led by chief operating officer Ernesto Tanmantiong and officials from the United Nations Development Program, Asian Development Bank, SM Prime Holdings and the UP Film Institute attended the launch.

The IDC is one of the activities for the year-long Ombudsman Integrity Caravan in celebration of the silver anniversary of the Office of the Ombudsman in May this year.

After the launching, however, reporters and cameramen covering the event figured in a tussle with Morales’ security officers and guards of SM North EDSA.

The extra strict security personnel surrounded Morales and pushed aside reporters even as she was still answering their questions.