Thursday, July 19, 2007 (Philippines)

Acting Ombudsman for the Visayas Virginia Palanca-Santiago, reacting to the businessmen’s rating of the anti-graft agency, says her office, lacking funds and personnel, cannot cope with the number of cases. Others in photo: Dr. Mahar Mangahas, SWS president, and Linda Lus Guerrero, head of the survey.(Sunstar photo/Alex Badayos) THE public works department and customs bureau are still the most corrupt agencies in the country, businessmen said in a survey. The Office of the Ombudsman, the same survey said, is among the agencies considered by traders to be “mediocre” in their sincerity in fighting corruption. “Listening to the presentation, I am shocked,” said Deputy Ombudsman for the Visayas Virginia Santiago. She said her agency lacks funding and personnel and they could not cope with the number of cases filed. Pinoy Votes: Sun.Star Election 2007 Coverage View here the list of local winners [full story]