Ombudsman inks deal with UP, CHED to improve ethics curriculum in fight vs. corruption

The Office of the Ombudsman has inked a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with the Commission on Higher Education and the University of the Philippines to include ethics in public service in the general education curriculum in an aim to eradicate corruption.

Officials pose with the signed MOA instituting values formation in universities and colleges @gmanews pic.twitter.com/2Wngb9vcpP

— Llanesca T. Panti (@llanescajourno) September 26, 2019

The MOA, signed by Ombudsman Samuel Martires, UP System President Danilo Concepcion and CHED Chairperson Prospero de Vera on Thursday afternoon, will:

• facilitate the production of information and education materials on ethics and accountability;
• disseminate the materials for the use of professors teaching the Ethics subject under the General Education curriculum in universities;
• organize workshops for General Education professors in the teaching of the subject on Ethics and disseminate these materials to education stakeholders; and 
• develop a subject on Ethics and Accountability in the Public Service that can be offered as an elective in universities and colleges, among others.

“Hindi natin masusugpo ang katiwalian sa pagpapakulong lamang ng lumabag sa batas. Kailangan nating baguhin ang pag-iisip ng ating lipunan. Kailangan tayo bumalik sa ugat,” Concepcion said.

“Ang investigation at prosecution, reactive ‘yan eh. ‘Yung values formation muna,” Martires added.

De Vera then noted that the MOA is crucial because Ethics classes in Philippine universities are largely based on Western models.

“We do not have a lot of materials discussing ethics in the Philippine context. Walang case studies na mape-present, na tatanungin mo ang estudyante ano ang ethical dilemma rito. How should the public official decide on this? Kaya mahirap magbigay ng exam [sa Ethics]. That is why we are committing the full support of the Commission, as well as mobilize 2,000 public and private universities," De Vera said.

“This MOA provides the opportunity for UP to make the materials, both video and written materials. With the help of the Ombudsman, maraming maraming puedeng maging example ng outstanding civil servants,” De Vera added.

Cases about corrupt officials will also be included in the curriculum.

"Kasama iyong mga corrupt, pero mas gusto natin ng positive reinforcement," De Vera said.

"Yung mga convicted na ng Supreme Court, kasama iyon," Martires added. — BM, GMA News