The ombudsman we need: Watchdog to reform catalyst

The Office of the Ombudsman is traditionally perceived as the institution empowered to investigate illegal, unjust, or improper acts and omissions of public officials. While this quasi-judicial and investigatory function is its most visible and exercised role, the Ombudsman’s constitutional mandate extends far beyond the reactive dispensation of justice. It is equally entrusted with a proactive duty, one that is less familiar to the public and, perhaps, even underappreciated within the institution itself.

Section 13, Article XI of the 1987 Constitution vests in the Ombudsman the authority to “determine the causes of inefficiency, red tape, mismanagement, fraud, and corruption in the government and make recommendations for their elimination and the observance of high standards of ethics and efficiency.” This provision articulates not merely an ancillary power but a constitutional directive for preventive and reformative governance.

In this light, the Ombudsman is not confined to acting upon complaints or public outrage. It possesses the constitutional prerogative and moral duty to serve as the vanguard of institutional integrity. By identifying systemic weaknesses and recommending structural reforms, the Ombudsman can transform itself from a reactive investigator into a catalyst for enduring administrative renewal and ethical governance.

The Constitution also empowers the Ombudsman to “request any government agency for assistance and information necessary in the discharge of its responsibilities.”

It is my earnest hope that the next Ombudsman breathe life into this oft-overlooked constitutional duty. By embracing its role not only as a watchdog but as an architect of reform, the Ombudsman can become a true enabler and catalyst of the change our nation so deeply yearns for.

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Just a choke

Jason Salazar,

Quezon City