Monday, October 29, 2007 Increase in graft cases before polls is expected: Tanodbayan By Carlo P. Mallo
THE increase in cases lodged against the Office of the Ombudsman during election season does not come as a surprise to Tanodbayan Merceditas Gutierrez.
Though most of the complaints lodged before their office against incumbent government officials are, more often than not, only used to harass the officials, Gutierrez maintains that they still have to look into these complaints.
"We can't conclude that all complaints lodged during the election season are all for harassing government officials," Gutierrez said.
An increase in the complaints lodged against elected government officials are recorded every time election season approaches. For this month, most complaints received by the Office of the Ombudsman were against barangay officials and almost no complaint was received against local officials.
Barangay polls are slated Monday, October 29.
"We have to be fair and look into the veracity of all the complaints and allegations lodged before our office," Gutierrez added.
