EDITORIAL - Of Santiago and her silence

Unless there is an order from their central office, officials of the Office of the Ombudsman Visayas should see to it that their side are always heard on issues affecting their office or their function.

Public servants, by the nature of their functions, should make clear views on whatever decision they make. For the public to know the real score, they should make themselves open to any scrutiny.

So it is very important for them to continue switching on the communication lines. Their statements are always vital in the effort of the government to keep all transactions as transparent as possible.

It has already been two weeks and assistant deputy Ombudsman Virginia Palanca Santiago has been keeping mum on the attacks made by Lapu-Lapu City Representative Arturo Radaza against her.

The neophyte lawmaker said the anti-graft official has been biased against him, accusing her and businessman Efrain Pelaez of political harassment. Pelaez had filed graft cases against the then mayor Radaza in relation to the demolition of a causeway in Barangay Agus four years ago.

Finding grounds to support the charges, the Ombudsman Visayas elevated the complaint to the Sandiganbayan. But finding no basis to merit conviction, the anti-graft court dismissed the charges.

Elated over the dismissal of the case, Radaza said he felt vindicated, saying that politics was behind the filing of the case. He went on to explain that Santiago has always been biased against him in the many cases filed against him.

The FREEMAN repeatedly tried to call up Santiago but she cannot be reached for her side. Her cellular phone would always ring. Although Santiago has the right not to respond to Radaza’s statement, the public finds it very unfortunate having no opportunityhearing from her side on his accusations.

The public does not want to think that Santiago has always been biased against the lawmaker. But by choosing to remain silent, Santiago leaves a big question that she only can answer.

By her silence, the public would probably think that Radaza is right.