Happy tears flow in Santiago send off

Memories in office made her smile and cry.

Assistant Ombudsman Virginia Palanca-Santiago yesterday put an end to her 16-year-old stint in the anti-graft office.

But if Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama would have his way, the ‘iron lady’ of the Office of the Ombudsman in the Visayas may say hello to the City Hall after her goodbye as she reached the mandatory retirement age of 65 for civil servants.

Wearing a red dress, Santiago addressed staff members and officials of her office who were teary-eyed during her despedida and 65th birthday party.

“I don’t know if I deserve this. I just want to exit gracefully and peacefully. I know that it’s so hurting to leave the office where I worked for 16 long years.

“But there is always an end to everything.  I’m not that person whom you (should) idolize. I am just an ordinary public servant. I just did my best,” said Santiago whose voice cracked in some parts of her message.

Early during the program, employees of the anti-graft office handed over red roses to Santiago who was accompanied by her two children Karen and Noel as well as daughter-in-law Delle. Her other son, Bekin, is presently in the United States of America.

Deputy Ombudsman for the Visayas Pelagio Apostol was not around during the program as he reportedly left the office before the Mass started. Apostol, however, sent a short written birthday greeting to Santiago.

The other anti-graft officials gave Santiago two framed portraits, one of which  depicted Santiago as Wonder Woman.

At one point, she sang “I’ll be Seeing You” with the female anti-graft investigators.

The program was preceded by a Eucharistic celebration that was presided over by Rev. Fr. Dan Domingo delos Angeles, Santiago’s former student at the University of San Carlos College of Law.

Santiago is hoping to serve the Lord and spend more time with her three children as she makes her way out from the anti-graft office.

“Life is just too short.  At least I have reached the age of 65 and that is already a blessing to me. I cannot repay God for all the goodness that he has shown me; for all the blessings that he has done to me,” she added.

Lawyer Euphemia Bacalso, acting director of the graft investigation office, said they are grateful for Santiago’s service.

“As she embarks upon another path, we wish her many moments of success and deeper joy, and much more fulfillment and contentment,” Bacalso said.

Graft investigation and prosecution officer Jane Aguilar, for her part, said it is difficult to follow what Santiago did in the anti-graft office.

“I think the best honor that we can give you is to be inspired by your virtues and good works and to emulate them in our own lives. Thank you so much ma’am for showing us the way to authentic public service.

“You undertook your responsibilities with professionalism and utmost dedication. You may be retired from government service but I hope you will not be tired in serving others,” she said.

Deputy Ombudsman Apostol earlier told Cebu Daily News that he is seeking for the abolition of the position of assistant Ombudsman.

Apostol said he doesn’t need an assistant Ombudsman whom he said would just disrupt the flow of communication in the office.

Apostol, who has a falling out with Santiago, said there are directors in the Ombudsman Visayas who can assist him in performing the tasks expected of the office.

In 2009, Apostol was reported to have disagreed with the findings of a panel of anti-graft prosecutors and Santiago who recommended the filing of charges against the persons involved in the controversial construction of the Cebu International Convention Center (CICC) in Mandaue City.

Among those investigated in this case is Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia.

The case has been forwarded to the Ombudsman in Manila awaiting resolution.

The CICC was constructed for the Association of Southeast Asian Nation (ASEAN) Summit in January 2007.

Meanwhile in the Cebu City Hall. Rama said, a job is waiting for Santiago.

But this early, Rama said, he still could not say exactly what position he will offer Santiago.

“It depends. As mayor, I can exercise my prerogative (on what position to give her),” said Rama.

“She (Santiago) has never been involved in corruption.  The city needs people like her,” added Rama. /Ador Vincent Mayol, Reporter with reports from Correspondent Edison A delos Angeles