Ombudsman’s paltry harvest

Records show that less than one in every 10 persons convicted of corruption since 2001 has actually been jailed.

Worse, of the 14 persons with court-issued jail sentences, only seven are actually serving time. And worst of all, of the seven in jail, only one person has completed his/her prison sentence.

As of 2009, of the seven serving time, the highest ranking officials are two barangay chairmen.

The Office of the Ombudsman says it is doing its best despite what is has repeatedly described as limited resources.

But interviews with observers, complainants, and former and present Ombudsman insiders, as well as a closer scrutiny of official data reveal a different picture. Indeed, indications are that the Office has been failing on its duty to act promptly on complaints and in prioritizing those involving high-ranking officials, grave offenses, and large sums of money and property.

Part 2 of our series on the Office of the Ombudsman focuses on the record of performance of the office under Gutierrez, and various initiatives inside the agency that have assured her the loyal support of most of her 1,000-odd employees.