SOCIAL SERVICES

SIXTH FOUNDING ANNIVERSARY OF THE VOLUNTEERS AGAINST CRIME AND CORRUPTION, August 27, 2004, 1pm, PICC

THANK YOU VERY MUCH, SECRETARY ____, ETC., MR. DANTE JIMENEZ, MR. LAURO VIZCONDE. I also wish to warmly welcome our guests from _____.

It is WITH GREAT honor AND PRIVILEGE, that I grace this event, the VACC founding anniversary, as your guest of honor and speaker.

SIX YEARS AGO, THE VOLUNTEERS AGAINST CRIME AND CORRUPTION (VACC) WAS FOUNDED WITH THE NOBLE VISION OF BUILDING A CRIME-FREE AND CORRUPTION - FREE SOCIETY.

CRIME AND CORRUPTION ARE indeed scourges to society, THE magnitude WHICH cannot be truly fathomed. however daunting, the role of a crime and corruption watchdog is a task that the vacc has assumed with much sincerity and enthusiasm.

Time and again, the vacc has not failed to impress me with its trailblazing efforts and initiatives such as – (1) the VACC court watch project and its expanded victims assistance program, which watches over court proceedings to ensure against possible judicial anomalies and assists victims and witnesses; (2) as observers during public biddings of dpwh projects; (3) the “one dentention center” for the effective monitoring of kidnap for ransom cases; and the latest, (4) the project courtwatch on drug cases, for community vigilance and monitoring of drug cases.

Through it all and even under highly publicized events, the VACC has adopted a stance of political and ideological neutrality, remaining pro-active with the spirit of volunteerism and FOCUSING ON THE COMBINED AND COORDINATED STRENGTHS AND CAPABILITIES OF MASSES WHO ARE THE VICTIMS OF CRIME AND CORRUPTION.

As in all our ENDEAVORS, success in reducing crime depends on a real partnership of all sectors working together for a common goal. For its part, the government regards it always as a matter of national priority, as its agenda and programs for the economy would not succeed without a sound crime prevention program.

The vacc has not only worked hand in hand with government but has also undertaken the vital task of keeping government on its toes to ensure that its performance is up to par.

THIS task, however, SHOULD NOT BE THE LONE resposibility OF THE VACC, BUT SHOULD BE a shared responsibility OF ALL of uS.

The VACC’s success and presence here today sends a clear message that our countrymen have taken this responsibility seriously and is ready to join the vacc and government in fighting crime & corruption.

I therefore wish you well in ALL YOUR FUTURE ENDEAVORS. I am confident that in the vacc there is gathered: an able leadership, an increasing dedication, AND a very high moral fiber that will ensure that, indeed, crime and corruption does not pay.

CONGRATULATIONS AND MORE POWER TO THE VACC!

Thank you very much.

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