Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales on Friday apologized if she appeared a bit "intimidating" when she faced the media in her first-ever press conference as ombudsman.
Speaking before members o the media and employees of the Office of the Ombudsman in Quezon City, Morales discussed in detail what she called her "8-point agenda" for 2011–2011, a comprehensive action plan to "enhance the efficiency, effectiveness, transparency, accountability, credibility, and responsiveness" of her office.
Morales, in an apparently stern and firm tone of delivery, vowed to prioritize corruption cases involving high-profile government officials, adding that those who could have been responsible for the backlog of caseloads in the agency will be facing administrative charges.
Right after her speech, not too many reporters immediately asked questions, prompting the press conference organizer to joke: "Oh, bakit nagkakahiyaan pa ata?"
"What's the matter with you? Before, you hit me in the head with your cameras, but now that I'm here, you don't ask questions," said Morales, eliciting laughter from the crowd.
As son as the atmosphere began to loosen up, more reporters began asking Morales questions ranging from the supposed death threats she has been receiving to her perceived loyalty to President Benigno Aquino III, who appointed her to the post last July.
In the middle of answering a particular question, the Ombudsman suddenly quipped: "I apologize if I sounded strict. I did not mean to intimidate anyone."
It was the first time that Morales faced the media in a formal setting of a press conference.
While still serving as a Supreme Court justice, Morales – like her fellow magistrates – would not be usually seen on television, much less grant media interviews.
That is why the way she dealt with the media on Friday came a little bit of a surprise even to employees of the Office of the Ombudsman.
"It was my first time to see her granting interviews here. And she really came off as a little bit intimidating," admitted an Ombudsman employee who requested anonymity.
The employee described Morales as having a "stronger" personality compared to past Ombudsmen "who were all soft." — LBG
