The people he studies “are intimidated – that is why they’re attempting to scare me.”
She [Morales] he is solely an inspiring public servant
Fighting corruption is dangerous work within the graft-plagued Philippines, where witnesses – even judges – are shot dead and convicted politicians are freed and reelected.
On Wednesday, her “moral courage and commitment to justice in tackling one among the Philippines’ most difficult problems” might be recognized when she is honored with the Ramon Magsaysay Prize, Asia’s version of the Nobel Prize.
“She is quite simply an inspiring public servant,” the judges said.
Born right into a family of honest lawyers, Morales rose slowly and with difficulty because of her incorruptibility, but eventually found her option to the Supreme Court, where in 2010 she became the primary female judge to take the oath of office as president.
A tireless employee, she now works 12 hours a day, six days every week for the Ombudsman – Sundays are reserved for her grandchildren – and her discipline is credited with increasing the office’s conviction rate to 75 percent from just 41 percent when she took office in 2011
Despite progress under Aquino, fighting “endemic” corruption within the Philippines is an uphill battle, she said, adding that corruption thrives when people think they will get away with it.
“We are filing cases against top government officials,” she said.
She added that the accusation “so-called “sacred cows” should give people a signal to be more careful.
They each had been complaining of poor health for years and had been detained in government hospitals, but Morales said: “Once you’re released, it was all an act!”
Her tenacity earned her many enemies, including former Vice President Jejomar Binay, who called her “silly” after she accused him of taking huge bribes when he was mayor.
But he argues that the Philippine culture of political patronage allows top leaders to shirk responsibility.
“They act like they’re Robin Hood,” she said.
When her son died of cancer last 12 months on the age of 41, a few of her more unpleasant critics used the private tragedy to attack her.
“They said it was my karma. Do you see how cruel people are?” she said, adding that it was “product of strong stuff” in any case.
Morales, who is not going to step down until 2018, will proceed her work under latest President Rodrigo Duterte, but said her agency will remain impartial.
“We don’t take orders from anyone. We are independent. Period.”
This article appeared within the print edition of the South China Morning Post as: A granny taking bribes and putting corrupt politicians in jail
