Witnesses refusing to testify? Might as well abolish Ombudsman, Martires says

Seemingly exasperated by witnesses who refuse to testify against corrupt officials, Ombudsman Samuel Martires on Tuesday said the Office of the Ombudsman may be better off abolished.

Martires aired his grievance during the hearing on the Ombudsman’s proposed P3.7-billion budget for 2021 before the House appropriations committee.

Martires lamented that while many complain about corruption at the Bureau of Customs, for example, nobody wants to testify or file an affidavit, making Ombudsman’s existence unnecessary.

“Marami nagsasabi na napaka-corrupt ng isang opisyal, pero pag sinabi mo na gumawa ng affidavit, ayaw na. Brokers protect their businesses. Kahit may nagrereklamo na itong collector na ito, corrupt, nobody will openly accuse that [official]. How do we gather evidence when nobody would like to testify before the court? Walang mangyayari,” Martires said.

“Para walang problema, magkanya-kanya na lang ang bawat ahensiya sa programa sa anti-corruption. I-abolish na lang siguro ang Office of the Ombudsman para less ang gastos ng pamahalaan... i-abolish na rin ang Sandiganbayan siguro,” he added.

Sandigabayan is an anti-graft court which tries criminal cases covering officials under Salary Grade 27 and up.

“Iyong pera ng gobyerno, gamitin na lang para sa pabahay ng mahihirap,” Martires said.

Martires also said those who have knowledge on corruption but are not willing to testify should avoid making statements.

“Sabi ko sa mga nagrereklamo, kung ayaw niyo dumagdag sa mga testigo, tumahimik kayo. Hindi Iyong puro kayo tsismis,” he said. —KBK, GMA News