Manufahi, 06 May 2025 – The Office of the Ombudsman for Human Rights and Justice (PDHJ), in partnership with the Anti-Corruption Commission (CAC), the Public Service Commission (CFP), and the Inspector General of the State (IGE), officially launched a leadership training program for public officials in Manufahi Municipality. The training is part of the Quadrilateral Initiative — a joint effort to prevent and combat corruption, promote good governance, and protect human rights in public administration.
In his opening remarks, the Ombudsman for Human Rights and Justice reminded participants of the vital role of public service. Quoting Samora Machel, he said, “Public servants are servants of the people,” emphasizing that serving the public requires prioritizing duty over personal benefit. “To be a good servant, one must sacrifice first and seek benefit later perform your duty before claiming your rights,” he added.
He also drew inspiration from Pope Francis, stating, “Those who do not live to serve, do not serve to live.” He encouraged all civil servants to see their roles not merely as jobs, but as part of a larger social mission to serve the people and the nation.
The training is designed to build leadership capacity among public officials and remind them of their ethical responsibilities. “Sometimes we get caught up in routines, working Monday to Friday, and forget the values that should guide us. This training is a space to reflect on our mission, we are not here just to earn a salary, but to uphold the public interest and promote justice,” the Ombudsman said.
He stressed that good governance and transparency are essential to public service and that leaders must communicate effectively with their teams. He encouraged directors to apply rules fairly and consider the circumstances of employees such as when they are late due to family emergencies or illness before applying sanctions. “Rules are important, but so is fairness. Communication is key in leadership,” he said.
The Ombudsman highlighted that PDHJ is a constitutional body that exists to safeguard citizens’ rights by receiving and investigating complaints against public authorities and institutions. “Our Constitution, in Article 6, outlines the objectives of the State — to protect national sovereignty, guarantee the rights of all citizens, promote democratic values, and ensure popular participation in addressing national challenges like poverty.”
He expressed appreciation for the creation of institutions like PDHJ, CAC, CFP, and IGE, which play a critical role in upholding integrity in public administration. “Our politicians made the right decision to establish these bodies. Together, we ensure that government decisions and public policies truly serve the people.”
He closed his remarks by reminding officials that success in public administration depends on teamwork and communication. “We do not succeed alone. Even those who clean our offices contribute to the mission. When communication flows well, we can uphold good governance. If officials act unfairly, citizens have the right to report them. Complaints can be submitted through our territorial offices, email, or directly to PDHJ’s Investigation Directorate — the law guarantees this.”
The training in Manufahi marks a continued effort under the Quadrilateral Initiative to strengthen ethical leadership, transparency, and accountability across Timor-Leste’s public service.
This post is also available in: Tetun