Ombudsman talks ‘pork’ in South Korea

MANILA, Philippines – Filipinos abroad aren’t staying quiet on the multi-billion peso Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) scam.

On September 1, Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales paid a visit to South Korea to speak to the Filipinos living in Seoul in a forum entitled “Talakayin Natin: Pork Barrel.” Pinoy Iskolars sa Korea (PIKO) hosted the event.  

READ: Pork barrel related stories

Luis T. Cruz, Philippine Ambassador to South Korea, said that Pinoys in South Korea want to know more about the PDAF scandal and the Ombudsman is the best speaker on the matter.

Other groups represented include: Philippine Engineers Association in Korea (PEAK), Representatives of Filipinos working under the Employment Permit System (EPS), among other Filipino-Korean groups.

Morales’ main purpose was to speak on graft and corruption, but took time to speak on PDAF. 

“I got challenged with people telling me that I am too old to do something about this,” Morales said. “Remember the phrase ‘too young but too corrupt? But I want to be someone who is known as “too old but too upright,” Morales said in a statement.

READ: Ombudsman to use full powers in pork probe

Carpio heads the Inter-Agency Ant-Graft Coordinating Council.

Carpio reiterated that the Office of the Ombudsman is ‘more than ready’ to facilitate the investigation of the case despite the threats made to her office.

READ: Ombudsman gets death threat over pork probe

“Filipinos in Korea will remain vigilant and will actively participate in the call for movements against graft and corruption and the call for the instillation of integrity, transparency and accountability in all government offices,” PIKO said in a press statement.

“We are one with the Filipinos in our country hoping that this cass will progress and will wait until justice to the Filipino people is served.” – Rappler.com