The Ombudsman
and the candidates

Published by the Visayan Daily Star Publications, Inc.

NINFA R. LEONARDIA Editor-in-Chief & President

CARLA P. GOMEZ Editor GUILLERMO TEJIDA III Desk Editor NANETTE L. GUADALQUIVER Busines Editor CEDELF P. TUPAS Sports Editor RENE GENOVE Bureau Chief, Dumaguete MAJA P. DELY Advertising Coordinator

CARLOS ANTONIO L. LEONARDIA Administrative Officer

The Office of the Ombudsman announced yesterday that it has completed its investigation on the charges filed against former Justice Secretary Hernando Perez, and that it is recommending the filing of graft, extortion and falsification of public documents charges against him.

The case had made sensational headlines about two years ago when then Congressman Mark Jimenez, probably pushed to the wall because of charges also being leveled against him, revealed that he had deposited no less than Two Million U.S. dollars in the name of the Justice Secretary in the Coutts Bank in Hongkong.

In its findings, the Ombudsman disclosed that it had conducted a thorough investigation and had followed the paper trail all the way to the bank in Switzerland that confirmed the claims of Jimenez. The charges remained on the shelves of the Ombudsman's Office and one of the reason could have been the fact that Jimenez, himself facing charges in the United States, had to undergo trial and serve his sentence there in the intervening years. Now that he has been released and is back in the country, interest in the Perez case has resurfaced and, with the Ombudsman report, threatens to again hog the headlines for several days.

Despite its prominence and the stature of the people involved - both the wife and brother-in-law of Perez are also being charged - it took a long, long time before justice is being served. And we do not refer only to justice in terms of the prosecution of the Perezes, we also think of the possibility that they will be able to defend themselves and clear their names when the processes are gone through.

Meanwhile, however, the Office of the Ombudsman should also focus on the other cases that must be gathering dust on its shelves. Many of these cases involve local government officials, or former ones, who may be angling for re-election or election. Having cases, especially those with criminal taints would surely affect the results, and the aftermath. A candidate who is innocent could be affected, but what if he or she is found out to be guilty after winning?

Such cases, particularly those involving criminal offenses, should be prioritized, if the Ombudsman would help ensure that we elect honest people and not criminals to our highest positions.*