Tinawag at inilarawan ng Office of the Ombudsman bilang ‘natural flow of things’ ang kamakailan pagbibitiw ni Independent Commission for Infrastructure Commissioner Rossana Fajardo mula sa kanyang pwesto.
Ito mismo ang naging reaksyon at kumento ng Ombudsman na siyang ibinahagi ng tagapagsalita nito na si Assistant Ombudsman Atty. Mico F. Clavano.
Aniya’y binuo ang naturang komisyon noong nagkakaroon pa lamang ng ‘transition’ sa pagitan ng dati at bagong Ombudsman.
Layon raw sa paglulunsad nito na matiyak ang kadyat at mapagkakatiwalaang ‘fact-finding’ at imbestigasyon ukol sa maanomalyang flood control projects.
Kung kaya’y nang maitalaga na si former Department of Justice Sec. Jesus Crispin ‘Boying’ Remulla bilang bagong Ombudsman, ang Independent Commission for Infrastructure nama’y madaliang nakapagsusumite ng mga referrals.
Naniniwala ang Ombudsman na ang pagiging nasa posisyon sa komisyon ay kalakip ang mataas na ‘exposure’ lalo na sa mga namumuno nito.
Kung kaya’t pagtitiyak anila na pahahalagahan ang mga ginagawang aksyon ng komisyon lalo na pati mga rekomendasyon ibinibigay laban sa mga tiwali at sangkot na mga opisyal sa anomalya.
Basahin ang buong pahayag ni Assistant Ombudsman Atty. Mico F. Clavano,
The Office of the Ombudsman sees this as the natural flow of things. The ICI was established during the transition from one Ombudsman to another to ensure quick and reliable fact-finding and investigation. Now, with a new Ombudsman ready to take on the task, the ICI was quick to relay their referrals for further fact-finding and/or preliminary investigation.
Though, it has always been a concern for the ICI that they do not have immunity from suit – unlike the Ombudsman who is an impeachable officer. Thus, the exposure is high especially for those who head the commission. In that context, it was quite noble for private individuals to even take on such a daunting task so significant in our country’s history.
Thus, we value the work of the ICI and put plenty of weight on their recommendations. Whether this signals the end or a transition phase of the ICI, the Office of the Ombudsman will remain steady in its pursuit of credible and hard evidence, quality cases, and real accountability.
It is only a matter of time before we see more cases filed in court – many upon the recommendation of the ICI.
