Ombudsman Morales to grandkids, 'I want to secure a just and honest society for you'

Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales during the presentation ceremonies for recipients of the 2016 Ramon Magsaysay Award. PHOTO: ROSE-AN JESSICA DIOQUINO

The country's top gladiator against corruption, Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales, has another special role close to heart: that of being a grandmother.

Normally tough and unfazed in public, Morales showed a glimpse of being "Grand C" when she read a letter addressed to her grandchildren, Enyo and CC, for her response at the presentation ceremonies of the 2016 Ramon Magsaysay awardees. 

She told her grandchildren that her fight against corruption is for them. 

"Grand C has just received this prestigious recognition. I am often asked why and how I continue to work. I will now tell you my secret: I draw inspiration and energy from you. I continue working because I want to secure a just and honest society for you and for every Filipino child," she said.

Morales said she was "ready to play the role of a doting grandmother" when she retired from the Supreme Court five years ago, but the call "to help ensure a better future for our children," coupled with doubts over her age and gender, made her accept the offer to become Ombudsman.

"[T]he stark reality is there are millions of other grandchildren who are being robbed of a bright future by those consumed with greed and lust for power," she said. "This award proves the skeptics wrong. Indeed, gender and age are irrelevant in this crusade."

She added: "Children should never lose hope. Please pray that Grand C and her colleagues at the Office of the Ombudsman will win the fight against corruption."

Morales also underscored the importance of other stakeholders in this endeavor, accepting the award not only on behalf of her colleagues at the Office of the Ombudsman, but also for "all anti-corruption advocates, including journalists, civil society workers, and good governance volunteers who complement the work" of her office.

"They are the real heroes in the fight against corruption," she said. "I hope that our shared work results in succeeding generations of Filipinos who will not allow corruption to tear the protective mantle of the rule of law, the anchor of our democracy." 

Morales was recognized "for her moral courage and commitment to justice in taking head-on one of the most intractable problems of the Philippines" that is corruption.

The Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation noted her "strict, scrupulous style" that led to professionalize and to improve the Office of the Ombudsman, resulting in the rise of conviction rate before the Sandiganbayan, with cases against high-ranking officials. 

The other awardess are Dompet Dhuafa (Indonesia); Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers; Vientiane Rescue (Laos); Bezwada Wilson, who led the crusade against manual scavenging in India; and Thodur Madabusi Krishna, an Indian musician trained in the aristocratic Karnatik music to bridge the gap between social classes. 

The Philippines is home to 47 recipients of the said award, which is considered the Asian equivalent of the Nobel Peace Prize.

Morales joins Jose Aguilar (1959), Francisca Aquino (1962), Arturo Alcaraz (1982), Miriam Defensor-Santiago (1988), Alfredo Bengzon (1991), Jesse Robredo (2000), Hilario Davide Jr.(2002), Haydee Yorac (2004), Jovito Salonga (2007), and Grace Padaca (2008) among individuals recognized by the Foundation for their exemplary performance in government service. — BAP, GMA News