Unmask Proclaims War Against Graft and Corruption
By: Marilyn Lanuzo
The police ranks in an organized and sustained basis, UGNAYAN NG
MGA
MAMAMAYANG AYAW SA KATIWALIAN INC. (UNMASK) was successfully launched at the National Labor Relations Commission. A brainchild of former Ambassador Roy V. Señeres, who now sits as Chairman of the NLRC, the program is a coalition of public officials and employees aimed at eradicating graft and corruption within the confines of the NLRC.
Declaring that graft and corruption is the mother of all evils, Chairman Señeres with the officials and members, formalized their pledge to utilize the money entrusted by government wisely and conscientiously to carry out the ends for which the funds were created with full accountability to the public before Melchor "Choy" F. Pablo, Barangay Captain of Barangay Longos, Dagat-Dagatan, Malabon, one of the poorest barangays in Metro Manila. Quite a number of reporters from radio and television as well as in print media were invited to witness the occasion.
Encouraging NLRC personnel in the regular course of their duties and functions to report any occurrence at all levels of graft and corruption at its inception, the Chairman as its President has implemented concrete and decisive measures to combat the evils that will plague the system.Among them are the following:
1. Appointment of NLRC employees and officials organization president as members of the Bids and Awards Committee which negotiates for the rentals of NLRC offices to see to it that no rebates could be taken from the rentals.
2. Appointment of NLRC officials and employees to monitor the proper disbursements of funds, and when necessary the immediate public disclosure of this Commission's expenditures.
3. Trust fund accounts to secure compliance of the monetary awards in labor cases deposited with the Land Bank are strictly monitored. Additional measures will be in place to investigate reports and irregularities causing the wastage of funds aimed at applying the full force of the law to whosoever will be convicted in accordance to the Anti-Graft and Corruption Practices Act. Summoning other government functionaries to establish their own version of UNMASK, governmental, non-governmental and other people's organizing extended their support.
UNMASK was incorporated and registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission on
April 25, 2001
by a core group of signatories namely- Chairman Roy V. Señeres Labor Arbiter Felipe T. Garduque II Labor Arbiter Perlita B. Velasco Atty. Filomeno B. Balbin Labor Arbiter Manuel M. Manansala Labor Arbiter Napoleion H. Menese Mrs. Agripina F. Sangell Mr. Lucman O. Blo Mrs. Rhodora L. Hernandez Exec. Labor
Arbiter
Voltaire
I.
Balitaan Exec. Labor Arbiter Isabel P. Ortiguerra Exec. Labor Arbiter Fatima J. Franco Mr. Rowell Z. Dela Rosaa Mrs. Melizaa A. Granados Mrs. Cynthia G. Sagmit Commissioner Ireneo I. Bernardo congratulated its officers and members he underscored the need to pursue its objectives vigorously and relentlessly so as not to remain mere lip service or an empty slogan.
From the varied reactions to this noble undertaking, most of them supporting the program, Chairman Señeres declared that UNMASK is not a quixotic quest. Under his stewardship, it will be the leader in organizing and sustaining local and national efforts at defeating the very ills that beset the country and its people's moral fiber. UNMASK beckons us to act now and be on guard.
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