Ombudsman marks Int’l Anti-Corruption Day
THE Office of the Ombudsman yesterday marked the commemoration of the International Anti-Corruption Day by holding SIKHAY LABAN SA KORAPSYON (SiLaK) with the participation of various stakeholders and civil society organizations.
SiLaK initiative is the Ombusdman’s collaborative advocacy platform to facilitate data-driven policy development and strategic innovations in the anti-corruption sector.
It is an abbreviation for “Sikhay Laban sa Korapsyon,” a Filipino phrase which means “assiduity and diligence in the fight against corruption.
Vested with broad constitutional powers, the Office of the Ombudsman vowed to be cognizant that it must remain dynamic, responsive and collaborative to lead the enforcement of public accountability against graft and corruption and ensure the sanctity of public office as a public trust.
It must also promote high standard of ethics in public service amidst challenges of modern governance and rising expectations from the public.
Its strategic interdependence with all branches in the government and other anti-corruption stakeholders is not only needed to effectively dispense its mandate but also for sustained improvement of its service delivery mechanisms and core functions.
This year’s SiLaK is focused on galvanizing the anti-corruption sector through strategic innovations and gender mainstreaming under the stewardship of the Office of the Ombudsman.
It specifically aimed at strengthening linkages of justice and anti-corruption stakeholders towards an innovative, sustainable, inclusive, and transformative roadmap against corruption while developing an I.T. enabled systematic knowledge repository and exchange facilities of anti-corruption studies, experience, and best practices.
In his keynote message, Deputy Ombudsman Anderson Lo remarked “the Office is aware that it must remain capable, if not dynamic, to lead the enforcement of public accountability against graft and corruption to assuage public trust.
