NEW BOSS. Deputy Ombudsman for the Visayas Paul Elmer Clemente (center) huddles with staff members of the anti-graft office on his first day in office. (CDN PHOTO/Ador Vincent Mayol)
Newly appointed Deputy Ombudsman for the Visayas Paul Elmer Clemente assumed his post yesterday, stressing the need for more staff to serve the people with utmost dedication.
“We have to preach the gospel of good governance,” he told employees in the anti-graft office where he reported at 8 a.m.
“I want you to do your best in everything that you do. We have to make sure that all of us will contribute to the good of the nation,” he said.
“Please cooperate with me because I rely on you in our goal of serving the people,” he added.
Clemente, who reported for work dressed in a coat and tie, begged off media interviews.
Cebu Gov. Hilario Davide III expressed hopes that the new deputy Ombudsman for the Visayas would help speed up the disposition of pending cases.
“I suggest that the new Ombudsman Visayas chief will act on cases which have been pending for some time. I believe that he was appointed by the president because of his credentials and I expect him to serve the office with independence, utmost responsibility, and credibility,” Davide said.
Clemente, a native of Butuan City, was welcomed by employees and anti-graft investigators who showed him around the different offices.
He served as Ombudsman director before he joined the Register of Deeds in Manila.
The seal of the anti-graft office was turned over to him by Deputy Ombudsman for Mindanao Rodolfo Elman, who served as acting deputy Ombudsman for the Visayas for three months following the retirement of Pelagio Apostol. Clemente, 45, is the fifth deputy Ombudsman for the Visayas. He will serve a term of seven years.
His executive assistant, Julito Fernandez, told reporters that interviews would need prior clearance from the Ombudsman central office in Manila.
Present during the turnover ceremony were Deputy Ombudsman for Mindanao Rodolfo Elman, acting director of the Public Assistance and Corruption Prevention Bureau Carla Juris Narvios-Tanco, acting director of the Evaluation and Investigation Office Euphemia Bacalso, officer-in-charge of the Evaluation and Investigation Office Jane Aguilar, and acting director of the Prosecution and Monitoring Office Gaudioso Melendez.
President Benigno Aquino III chose Clemente over Judge Geraldine Faith Econg and Carla Juris Narvios-Tanco, Gilbert Kintanar and Vicente Gengos Jr.
Under the 1987 Philippine Constitution, a Deputy Ombudsman must be a natural born citizen of the Philippines; at least 40 years old; a member of the Philippine Bar for at least 10 years; of recognized probity, integrity, competence, and independence; and must not be a candidate for any elective office in the most recent elections.
A deputy Ombudsman, whose rank is equivalent to a member of the constitutional commission, has a fixed term of seven years without reappointment. He or she receives an P85,000 monthly salary./with a report from Corresponent Victor Anthony Silva
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