The Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption (VACC) cited The Manila Times and one of its reporters for their contributions in the fight against criminals and corrupt public officials.
The Manila Times Executive Editor Francis “Klink” Ang received the award from VACC founding chairman and president Dante Jimenez and the group’s board of trustees at a ceremony at the National Bureau of Investigation on Wednesday morning.
The Times reporter Jefferson Antiporda was recognized for his news reports exposing the irregularities in government transactions. Antiporda covers the Senate for The Times.
The Times, founded in 1898, is the oldest English newspaper in the country today. It is known for exposing graft and corruption in various government offices.
In his remarks, Supreme Court Administrator Jose Midas Marquez, who was guest of honor and speaker, urged the VACC leaders and members to continue their advocacy in giving justice to all victims of heinous crimes.
Marquez cited the contributions of the Supreme Court in seeking justice for victims of crime.
He said mobile courts had visited just recently far-flung areas in Luzon and this September the mobile justice cars will go to Iloilo City and Bacolod City. Marquez added that several overstaying inmates were freed because of the decongestion program.
He also cited the “no postponement rule” now being rolled out in Quezon City courts that helped speed up court proceedings. Marquez mentioned the two touch-screen kiosks at the Quezon City Hall of Justice that are helping quick access to informations of cases filed in courts. He said more computer touch-screens will be provided in Angeles City, Manila, Makati City, Davao City and Lapu-Lapu City.
Even sending of subpoenas is made easy through email and texting to ensure the attendance of witnesses.
Marquez said a database of warrants has been established where any police or authorized personnel can download the warrants, verify the facts and even serve the warrants for efficiency and transparency.
According to him, all of these innovations were geared toward the elimination of red tape and corruption.