UN anti-corruption official meets Ombudsman, eyes increased collaboration

The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Team Lead Annika Wythes of the UNODC Southeast Asia and the Pacific Anti-Corruption Team has paid a courtesy call to Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla.

The Ombudsman's office said Wythes, alongside UNODC Philippines National Programme Officer and lawyer Kirbee Tibayan, met Remulla and other Ombudsman officials to discuss ongoing collaboration efforts anchored on the implementation of the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) which the Philippines ratified in 2006.

“Through partnerships grounded on integrity, innovation, and shared commitment, the Office of the Ombudsman continues to strengthen its capability to address evolving corruption challenges and uphold public accountability,” Ombudsman Remulla said in a statement.

These collaborations between the Office of the Ombudsman and the UNODC include various technical trainings, workshops, and regional engagements focused on financial investigations, digital evidence, anti-money laundering, corruption prosecution, asset recovery, and international cooperation.

In addition, the Ombudsman said future areas of collaboration, including advanced digital forensics training, strengthened international cooperation mechanisms, and the possible development of a unified National Anti-Corruption Framework for the Philippines, were also discussed during the UNODC official's courtesy call.

Likewise, the Office of the Ombudsman recognized the UNODC’s continued support for initiatives promoting integrity, ethics, and corruption prevention, including the annual Sikhay Laban sa Korapsyon (SiLaK) Summit in celebration of International Anti-Corruption Day and Anti-Corruption Month.

“The strong growing partnership between the Office of the Ombudsman and the UNODC is vital in advancing anti-corruption efforts, institutional capacity building, and international cooperation,” Remulla added. —VAL, GMA News