The Philippine Online Chronicles

On her first media interview since being appointed as ombudsman, Conchita Carpio-Morales promised to focus on high-profile cases and maintain independence.

The Ombudsman "should not be satisfied in catching the small fish as it must go after the school of big fish lurking in government offices," Morales said on Friday.

She bared her seven-year plan for the anti-graft body, as well as an eight-point program that will "enhance the efficiency, effectiveness, transparency, accountability, credibility and responsiveness of the Office of the Ombudsman.”

The reform program includes the following:

- Speedy disposition of high-profile cases, especially those involving large sums of money and “grand corruption cases”

- Strict enforcement of time frames with a zero backlog goal for cases

- Improving evidence-gathering to ensure that cases are strong

- Monitoring of cases passed on to other agencies and courts

- Public assistance

- Help improve anti-corruption policies and programs in coordination with concerned sectors

- Reviewing the present organizational structure

- Enhancing transparency and credibility by reviewing policies on access to information

Seven-day deadline for Arroyo case

According to Inquirer, Morales had already formed a fact-finding team the day before in light of Senate filing a new criminal complaint against former first gentleman Jose Miguel “Mike” Arroyo. The team will be working on the accusations that Arroyo had sold second-hand helicopters at a hefty amount to the Philippine National Police, passing them off as brand new.

Morales said the team is expected to submit their recommendation to her office by Oct. 21. She however, asserted that though President Benigno Aquino III is critical of the Arroyos, she maintains independence, letting the cases undergo due process.

Meanwhile, Arroyo told media that the Senate case “does not come as a shock.” “This has been their finding even before they started the probe,” he said, adding that there is no solid piece of evidence against him.

Morales, meanwhile, said that, “Given the submission by the Senate of this more detailed result of its investigation, that would lighten our burden.”

Garcia Plea bargain

Another case that Morales is eyeing is the plea bargain of former military comptroller Carlos Garcia. In a position paper submitted to the Sandiganbayan, she asserted that she is against it and called for the court to nullify the ruling and approval of the deal.

At present, the Office of the Ombudsman is facing more than 11,000 pending complaints. She said she plans to resolve all of them before she leaves the service in 2017.