‘Ombud Morales should delegate’

DECENTRALIZE the investigation and approval of cases.

This was the plea of Pelagio Apostol, deputy ombudsman for the Visayas, to newly apppointed Tanodbayan Conchita Carpio-Morales.

Apostol, in an interview, said sending cases that involve high-ranking government officials to their central office in Manila as ordered by former ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez delayed the issuance of resolutions.

“The power to investigate and approve fact-finding investigations, preliminary investigation and administrative adjudiciation should be given back to the deputy Ombudsman,” Apostol said.

“I became powerless when cases were sent to Manila.”

Cases referred to the Preliminary Investigation, Administrative, Adjudication and Review Bureau of the  Ombudsman in Manila include the 2009 purchase of the Balili property in Naga City, south Cebu, and 2007 construction of the Cebu International Convention Center in Mandaue City.

Apostol said he would ask Morales to prioritize these  cases.

The appointment of Morales is a way  to “regain the image of the Ombudsman. We should bring the confidence of the public back to the Ombudsman,” said Apostol, one of the nominees for Ombusdman.

Apostol is set to meet with Morales on Monday in Manila.

“We welcome the new Ombudsman. We respect the decision of the President in appointing her,” he said.

Apostol will be among the advisers of Morales.

He said he would ask Morales to hold meetings at least once a month so they could discuss programs and policies.

Lawyer Earl Bonachita, president of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines Cebu City Chapter, echoed Apostol’s call to decentralize the resolutions of cases.

“I think it would be good to… allow the Offices of the Ombudsman to decide on cases within their jurisdiction,” Bonachita said.

“In so doing, she (Morales) would be able to focus on the big cases being readied against those corrupt high officials of the past administration.”/Reporter Ador Vincent S. Mayol