A former congresswoman from Caloocan City is calling on the Ombudsman to make reforms in its system so complaints filed before the office are validated and with proof.
The request of Mitzi Cajayon-Uy, who is also the former executive director of Council for the Welfare of Children, comes after her recent acquittal from graft and malversation charges.
"Ang nangyari kasi nung ako ay nakasuhan sa Ombudsman, umusad siya sa isang reklamo na hindi pinangalanan ng Ombudsman," said Cajayon-Uy.
(What happened was when I was charged before the Ombudsman, it went on with just one complaint from someone not named by the Ombudsman.)
"Hindi ko alam kung sino ang nag-file sakin, kung sino ang naging sanhi nito," she added.
(I don’t know who filed against me, or who caused this.)
The former lawmaker alleged that there is a gap in the system, specifically its validation procedure, and reforms should be made to address it.
"Bakit parang may problema sa sistema? Na hindi ko nakikilala kung sino yung may kagagawan kung bakit ako naghirap sa kalahating dekada?" she asked.
(Why does it seem like there’s a problem in the system? I never found out who was the person behind my suffering for half a decade.)
"Ang dami kong nakitang pagkukulang. Una yung pagtanggap nila ng reklamo na walang basehan at hindi na-validate," she explained. "Ni hindi ko nakilala kung sino yung pormal na nagsampa ng kaso, hindi ito under oath, kumbaga pwede natin i-term siya na maaaring isa siyang 'Marites.'"
(I saw a lot of lapses. First, when they accepted a complaint without basis and is not validated. Even I don’t know who formally filed the case. It’s not under oath, it’s like we can call this person a ‘Marites.’)
Cajayon-Uy directly addressed Ombudsman Samuel Martires to look into their office to address the gaps.
"Nananawagan tayo kay Chairman Martires na kung pwede ngayon pa lang pag-aralan na nila ang reporma sa Ombudsman. Talagang tayo ay firm na talagang kung pwede mapakinggan ko ang panig ni Chair Martires kasi nga palagay ko kinakailangan talagang magkaroon ng mga pagrebisita kung ito man ay internal rules or whatsoever."
(I am calling on Chairman Martires if it’s possible to start reviewing reforms in the Ombudsman. We are really firm and we hope to hear their side because I think there is a need to revisit this internal rule or whatsoever.)
Cajayon-Uy has been cleared of two counts of violation of Republic Act 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act. She is also acquitted on one count of malversation of public funds under the Revised Penal Code and the complex crime of malversation through falsification of public documents.
