Thirty-three high-ranking military officers from Central and South America, accompanied by Colonel Tan Fang-rong of the National Defense University, visited the Control Yuan on the afternoon of May 28, 2019. During their visit, they engaged in a friendly discussion with CY President Chang Po-ya, Vice President Sun Ta-chuan and Deputy Secretary-General Liu Wen-shih, exchanging views on issues related to the CY’s powers and functions under the five-power constitutional system.
President Chang first welcomed the visitors from afar and briefed them on the CY’s responsibilities as well as performance. She mentioned that the CY received over 16,000 complaints last year and impeached a total of 36 individuals found guilty of violations of the law or neglect of duty, including 15 judicial and military officers. In addition, the CY proposed 100 corrective measures to administrative bodies, effectively urging them to make improvements, redress grievances and promote good governance.
President Chang also introduced the operation of the “Sunshine Acts,” including the requirements that property-declaration by public servants and political donations to political parties and candidates must be reported to the CY, which are aimed at preventing corruption through an open and transparent system. Under the Acts, high-ranking officials, including the head of state and the presidents of the five Yuans, shall report their assets to the CY, and the information shall be published online and in government periodicals.
President Chang also pointed out that the CY places importance on exchanges and cooperation with international ombudsman institutions. By attending the conferences of the International Ombudsman Institute (IOI) and the Iberoamerican Federation of Ombudsman (FIO), the CY has maintained friendly relations with ombudsman institutions around the world, signed cooperative agreements and memorandums of understanding with several countries, as well as engaged in experience-sharing on government supervision and human rights protection.
During the discussion, the visitors praised the five-power system of government under the ROC Constitution and asked a wide range of questions, including regarding the member nomination process, qualifications for becoming a member, supervision of members, the maximum amount of political donations, and the history of the Control Act.
President Chang answered all the questions in detail, providing the visitors with greater insights into the CY’s operations. She also noted that many countries in Latin America have set up independent bodies to safeguard human rights and monitor government to ensure good governance, such as Defensorías del Pueblo, human rights prosecutor's offices, and national human rights commissions.
At the end of the visit, President Chang expressed the hope of enhancing exchanges between the CY and the aforementioned institutions of the visitors’ respective countries, and invited the distinguished guests to learn more about Taiwan’s experience in ombudsman-related work in order to promote such exchanges in the future.