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UP, Ombudsman, CHED eye anti-corruption programs for youth sector

| Written by Jo. Florendo B. Lontoc

CHED Chair J. Prospero de Vera III, UP President Danilo Concepcion, and Ombudsman Samuel Martires sign a memorandum of understanding for programs against corruption. Photo by Misael Bacani, UP MPRO.

 

The University of the Philippines (UP), the Office of the Ombudsman (OMB), and the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) entered into a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on September 26, 2019 at the UP Board of Regents Room, Diliman, Quezon City, committing themselves to create anti-corruption programs, especially for the youth sector.

On top of the list of projects are: television programs including teleseryes; new media and other video productions; information and General Education materials on ethics and accountability; and, an elective course, “Ethics and Accountability in the Public Service”.

 

CHED Chair J. Prospero de Vera III, UP President Danilo Concepcion, and Ombudsman Samuel Martires present signed copies of the memorandum of understanding. With them are: UP Vice President Elena Pernia, Professor Emeritus Grace Javier Alfonso, Regent Frederick Mikhail Farolan, CHED Commissioner Ronald Adamat, Special Prosecutor Edilberto Sandoval, UP Faculty Regent Ramon Guillermo, UP Student Regent John Isaac Punzalan, UP Regent Francis Laurel, and UP Staff Regent Mylah Pedrano (hidden). Photo by Misael Bacani, UP MPRO.

 

The MOU was signed by UP President Danilo Concepcion, CHED Chair J. Prospero de Vera III, and Ombudsman Samuel Martires. Also present were: Acting Overall Deputy Ombudsman Edilberto Sandoval; CHED Commissioner Ronald Adamat; and UP officials.

“CHED welcomes and commends this worthy initiative of Ombudsman [Samuel] Martires to target young people and build the foundation of an ethical and moral future for the country,” CHED Chair de Vera III said. “We commit the full support of the Commission and will mobilize the close to 2,000 public and private universities starting today,” he added.

 

CHED Chair Prospero de Vera III talks about academic initiatives to be undertaken by the Commission under the MOU. Listening are UP President Danilo Concepcion and Ombudsman Samuel Martires. Photo by Misael Bacani, UP MPRO.

 

CHED will soon sign a memorandum of understanding with TVUP for the production of video materials consistent with the MOU, de Vera III announced.

“Dito [sa UP] ay hinuhubog ang isip ng mga estudyante upang sila ay magkaroon ng malalim na pagmamahal sa bayan. Ito pong ating gagawin ngayong hapon ay isang gawain para sa ating pagmamahal sa bayan [Here we shape the minds of students toward a profound love of country. Our activity this afternoon is a means for our love of country],” Concepcion said. “Kinakailangan po ang ating bayan ay pamunuan ng mga taong may pagmamahal sa bayan [Our country needs to be led by people who have love of country].”

 

UP President Danilo Concepcion welcomes representatives from the Office of the Ombudsman and the Commission on Higher Education. Photo by Misael Bacani, UP MPRO.

 

“Hindi natin masusugpo ang katiwalian kung tayo ay magkukulong lamang [We cannot eradicate corruption if we simply put people behind bars],” he added. “Kinakailangan nating baguhin ang pag-iisip ng lipunan [We need to change the way society thinks]. Mass media is very powerful in changing outlooks, mindsets,” Concepcion said during the press conference after the MOU signing, relating his observation of teleseryes being very influential among the youth.

 

Ombudsman Samuel Martires expresses his thanks to the CHED and UP for their enthusiasm in signing up to the Ombudsman initiative. Listening are UP Assistant Vice President for Public Affairs and Master of Ceremony Jose Wendell Capili, CHED Chair Prospero de Vera III, and UP President Danilo Concepcion. Photo by Misael Bacani, UP MPRO.