Ombudsman, World Bank take on corruption

Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales. SENATE POOL PHOTO

The Office of the Ombudsman has a new international partner in its fight against graft and corruption.

The agency has signed a memorandum of understanding with the World Bank Group’s (WB) investigative arm, the Integrity Vice Presidency (INT), to work together and provide each other with crucial information to detect, substantiate and prevent misdeeds in government.

The MOU was signed by Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales and World Bank Integrity vice president Leonard McCarthy in Washington, D.C., on June 6.

Under the agreement, the Office of the Ombudsman and the World Bank would “engage one another on relevant activities which they organize and undertake, and which may be of common interest in the discharge of their mandates.”

They will cooperate and consult with each other regularly to fight fraud and other crimes as well as sanctionable practices under the World Bank rules and policies.

The World Bank’s INT is tasked with investigating allegations of fraud and corruption related to its supported activities, as well as similar allegations on internal matters. It is also involved in efforts to protect the World Bank’s funds from misuse and corruption.  Leila B. Salaverria