
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”.

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 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].”

“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.
