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When the Ombudsman tells a congressman to use Google

Mara Cepeda

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When the Ombudsman tells a congressman to use Google
Davao Oriental 2nd District Representative Joel Mayo Almario asks Conchita Carpio Morales what the word 'ombudsman' means

A lawmaker got a taste of the feisty Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales during the agency’s budget briefing at the House of Representatives on Thursday, August 25.

It all began when Davao Oriental 2nd District Representative Joel Mayo Almario asked Morales the definition of the word “ombudsman.” 

Morales, who earlier defended the Office of the Ombudsman’s proposed P2.299 billion budget for 2017, said her office is mandated to go after errant public officials.  

Almario then asked if the word ombudsman had any Greek or Latin origins. 

“Scandinavian origin. Gumaya lang tayo. Ang mga Pilipino mahilig gumaya (We just copied them. Filipinos love to copy). ‘Tanodbayan’ ang original nomenclature. But I think we can Google it,” replied Morales, causing laughter among the audience composed mostly of lawmakers, their staff, and journalists. 

And she was not finished. 

As I said, Mr Congressman, maybe palitan ninyo ang cellphone niyo kung ‘di kaya makagawa [na mag-search sa Google] (As I said, Mr Congressman, maybe you should change your phone if you can’t search on Google),” Morales quipped. 

The Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary defines ombudsman as “a person (such as a government official or an employee) who investigates complaints and tries to deal with problems fairly.” 

Still, Almario was a good sport, asking Morales who would then investigate the Ombudsman if it is tasked to probe public officials. 

“It’s like belling the cat. Who among the rats will bell the cat? So we’re impeachable. I am impeachable. And kayong mga congressmen (And you congressmen), you can initiate complaints against the Ombudsman,” said Morales.

Almario then proceeded asking the Ombudsman about other issues concerning its proposed budget, including why the agency is spending a lower amount for its personnel services.

Morales explained this is because her office is going through restructuring and it is difficult to hire good lawyers.

Almario then ended his interpellation of the Ombudsman by asking if he could visit her office for “chika chika (for exchanging stories).”

Chika chika (Exchanging stories)? Can we not do it after session today?” Morales asked, drawing more laughter from the crowd. – Rappler.com

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Mara Cepeda

Mara Cepeda specializes in stories about politics and local governance. She covers the Office of the Vice President, the Senate, and the Philippine opposition. She is a 2021 fellow of the Asia Journalism Fellowship and the Reham al-Farra Memorial Journalism Fellowship of the UN. Got tips? Email her at mara.cepeda@rappler.com or tweet @maracepeda.