Ombudsman seeks additional manpower amid flood control probe

The Office of the Ombudsman is in need of additional personnel amid its ongoing probe and prosecution of those allegedly involved in the flood control mess, Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano said Friday.

Clavano made the response when asked if the Ombudsman has enough manpower to fulfill its mandate as the Independent Commission on Infrastructure (ICI) is expected to wind up its operations in two months, as earlier announced by Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla. 

The ICI was created by President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. to investigate anomalous government flood control projects. The ICI, however, does not have contempt powers in the event those subpoenaed or invited to hearings decline to show up.

“First, the Office of the Ombudsman has been reactivated in the sense that people now understand the culture of speed, balanced with quality, that the Ombudsman expects. [And] so, everybody in the Office of the Ombudsman has risen to the occasion and they have expressed their willingness to work double time,” Clavano said.

”But on top of that, we are inviting lawyers, engineers, and CPA (Certified Public Accountants) lawyers to come join the Office of the Ombudsman to add to the plantilla [positions] that may be used in the solving or in the investigation of these cases,” he added.

Likewise, Clavano said the Ombudsman is set to increase its capacity building and training programs going forward.

“We hope that this new energy, this new culture in the Office of the Ombudsman paired up with the additional lawyers that we are going to get, will be enough to tackle these cases one by one,” he said.

“We don't also want to tackle all of them [flood control cases] together [all at the same time]. There are lower hanging fruits than others, which will definitely be prioritized over the rest. But rest assured and rest assured to the public that we will tackle these cases one by one,” he added.

In addition, Clavano said the Ombudsman’s announcement of ICI winding down in two months is also a response to those who view the ICI as an entity which just adds another layer in the prosecution of cases.

“The Ombudsman appreciates the work of the ICI, considering that there is not enough resources in this country to go after all the projects and all the proponents and all those officials that are involved. And [at the same time] the Office of the Ombudsman's pronouncements were in reaction to those critics who say that the ICI is a duplicitous body,” he said.

“So, on the part of the Ombudsman, we appreciate the work [of the ICI], and whenever they file and they recommend certain actions or courses of action to the office of the Ombudsman, we listen because we trust that they have done the due diligence and work there at their office,” he added.

Former Public Works secretary Babes Singson, Independent Commission for Infrastructure commissioner, earlier said that as many as 1,200 individuals should face criminal charges in connection with the flood control mess.

Singson has resigned from the ICI, citing the commission's lack of resources.—AOL, GMA Integrated News