Protecting the Vulnerable — A Philippine Experience Justice

Protecting the Vulnerable - A Philippine Experience Justice Conchita Carpio-Morales Ombudsman of the Philippines 12 th Conference of the Asian Ombudsman Association 5 to 8 December 2011 Tokyo-Shizuoka, Japan

§ investigate and prosecute any act or omission by a public officer/employee that appears to be illegal, unjust, improper, or inefficient § direct any officer or employee of the Government, or of any subdivision, agency or instrumentality thereof, or any governmentowned or controlled corporation, to perform and expedite any act or duty required by law § stop, prevent, and correct any abuse or impropriety in the performance of public duties § determine causes of inefficiency, red tape, mismanagement, fraud, and corruption § recover ill-gotten and unexplained wealth and prosecute parties involved Office of the Ombudsman

FIVE FUNCTIONS 1. Public Assistance ACTIVITIES § Request for assistance § Mediation § Regional offices § Multi-media § Anti-Red Tape § Resident ombudsman network 2. Graft Prevention 3. Investigation 4. Administrative Adjudication 5. Prosecution Office of the Ombudsman

Request for assistance Mediation Regional offices § facilitate access to government services § retirement pensions, non-payment of salaries and other benefits, health and medical services, money claims, and deductions from or stoppage/refund of the monthly salary of teachers Multi-media § 53, 016 requests received from 2006 -2010 Anti-Red Tape § 95. 44% (50, 599) disposed Resident Ombudsman Network Office of the Ombudsman

Request for assistance Mediation Regional offices Multi-media Anti-Red Tape Resident Ombudsman Network Success Story: - US$60, 000 award for permanent disability enforced § assistant waiter on cruise ship § cracking sound and snapping sensation on knees § only 1 day of rest and anti-inflammatory shot § certified unfit for sea duty § employer failed to act on permanent disability claim § US$60, 000. 00 judgment award unimplemented § full satisfaction post assistance from OMB Office of the Ombudsman

Request for assistance § alternative form of dispute resolution Mediation § voluntary and inexpensive process Regional offices § minor and non-graft cases : non-payment of debts, threats, simple dishonesty, misconduct, and failure to provide financial support Multi-media § 72% of 909 cases successfully mediated Anti-Red Tape Resident Ombudsman Network Office of the Ombudsman

Request for assistance Mediation Success Story: family support § military personnel § abandoned wife and three children Regional offices Multi-media § financial support § authorization of allotment Anti-Red Tape Resident Ombudsman Network Office of the Ombudsman

Request for assistance Mediation Regional offices Multi-media Anti-Red Tape Resident Ombudsman Network Office of the Ombudsman

Request for assistance Mediation Regional offices § weekly radio program - “Report to the Ombudsman” § weekly TV program - “Ombudsman: Your Partner Against Corruption” Multi-media Anti-Red Tape Resident Ombudsman Network Office of the Ombudsman

Request for assistance Mediation § hotlines and text messaging § e-mail Regional offices Multi-media Anti-Red Tape Resident Ombudsman Network Office of the Ombudsman

Request for assistance Mediation Regional offices Multi-media Anti-Red Tape § Anti-Red Tape Act of 2007 § citizen’s charter: - frontline services - step-by-step procedures - responsible employee - fees - documentary requirements - complaint procedure § trainings Resident Ombudsman Network Office of the Ombudsman

Request for assistance Mediation Regional offices Multi-media Anti-Red Tape § duties and responsibilities: - public assistance - public information and education - monitoring - systems review § 12 resident ombudsmen organic to the OMB § 568 resident ombudsman coordinators Resident Ombudsman Network Office of the Ombudsman

Request for assistance Success Story: Philippine Veterans Affairs Office Mediation Regional offices Multi-media § reduction in processing time - from 60 days to 10 days for burial assistance - from 90 days to 30 days for old age pensions Anti-Red Tape Resident Ombudsman Network Image Source: PVAO Citizen’s Charter Office of the Ombudsman

The Way Forward § Human Rights-Based Approach to Development § P. A. N. T. H. E. R. Principles - Participation - Accountability - Nondiscrimination - Transparency - Human Dignity - Empowerment - Rule of Law Office of the Ombudsman

2010 -2016 OMB STRATEGY FRAMEWORK maladministration in delivery of basic services GOAL 1: Transparent, accountable, fair & efficient public service delivery Investigation and Prosecution Prevention Public Assistance corruption in revenue generation, fiscal management, and audit GOAL 2: Transparent, accountable, fair & efficient revenue generation, fiscal management, and audit poor access to justice, specially of the disadvantaged, vulnerable, and marginalized GOAL 3: Fair, rights-based, gender sensitive and amicable resolution of disputes and rights entitlement protected and promoted Prevention Grievance Redress, alternative dispute resolution Promotion/ Education Public Assistance Partnerships (international and local) Education Investigation and Prosecution Office of the Ombudsman

Barangay Good Governance Workshops § smallest and basic political unit § basic services and facilities - agricultural support services - health and social welfare services - “katarungang pambarangay” - maintenance of barangay roads, bridges, water supply systems - information and reading center § accountability awareness § integrity building Office of the Ombudsman

Thank You! Office of the Ombudsman