'We have to fight back': Ombudsman urges public to speak up vs. gov't abuses

Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla urged the public to openly communicate concerns about and abuses by the government, affirming his office’s commitment to “stand alongside the Filipino people in fighting for their rights.”

In a press release issued Sunday, Remulla said that the fight against corruption and abuse of power requires a collective effort between the government and the public.

“We try to make accountability something felt by the people who matter, and the people who matter is the Filipino people. Tayong mga Pilipino, dapat kaya nating isaayos ang bayan natin at kaya nating lumaban para sa ating mga karapatan. We have to fight for our rights,” the Ombudsman said.

(We try to make accountability something felt by the people who matter, and the people who matter are the Filipino people. As Filipinos, we must be able to put our nation in order and fight for our rights. We have to fight for our rights.)

“... We have to fight back by being open or by openly communicating to us what is happening on the ground,” he added,

The Ombudsman said that it recognizes the importance of gathering information from citizens to identify and address abuses and weaknesses in government public services.

Remulla urged the public not to tolerate or accept public servants who abuse their position, adding that the Office of the Ombudsman serves as an avenue for citizens to demand accountability when officials misuse their authority.

“If we accede to the antics of many people in government who have a wrong idea of how to exercise power and responsibility, then things will never improve,” Remulla said.

Under the Constitution, the Office of the Ombudsman is mandated to act on complaints filed against public officials and employees, ensuring accountability in public office. — BM, GMA News