Everyone prescribed under Article 67 of the Constitution, Section 5 of the Leadership Code are leaders, and they do have an obligation to file their annual returns every year as directed by the law.

An amendment on the Leadership Code Act this year during the second sitting of the first ordinary session of the parliament in 2020 has directed all leaders to file their annual returns within the office of the Ombudsman but not through the Clerk of Parliament.

Ombudsman Bulu

Ombudsman of the Republic of Vanuatu Hamlison Bulu reminds that Section 31 of the Leadership Code Act requires that the filling of the annual returns by leaders to be completed by March 1 every year and two months after becoming a leader during a press conference in the Ombudsman Office.

Ombudsman Bulu revealed that a leader has a lot of influences and privileges associated with powers and leadership and it is very easy for a leader to abuse his role and position. It is also easy for a leader to abuse his position to enrich himself or herself and that is one of the core reason to have them filling their annual returns.

Leaders had to declare every assets that they own even every liabilities in a transparent way to ensure the trust of the people of his constituency.

Ombudsman Bulu clarified that becoming a leader is taking up an honourable position to serve the people whether in a family, village, community, constituency and maybe Vanuatu. He said that the leadership comes with roles and duties that the leader himself has to honour and uphold it.

Being in a leadership position is accepting to become the servant to serve the people in accordance with the law to be fair on how you relate yourself to your people in terms of the power you have, the resources and everything you do should be benefiting every people.

Ombudsman Bulu explains that all positions prescribed by Section 5 of the Leadership Code and Article 67 of the Constitution are recognised leaders to name a few; the Prime Minister and every Members of the Parliament, the political appointees, members of Commissions like Public Service Commission, Police Service Commission and Teaching Service Commission. There are number of boards that were set up by the law, directors, Director Generals, elected members of provincial government, Secretary Generals, Lord mayor and his councillors, President of the Malvatumauri and his sitting members and many more.

Ombudsman Bulu said that for those who are occupying positions but are not sure of their status, they need to seek clarification within the office of the Ombudsman as soon as possible. He confirmed that when those people who failed to filed their returns next year will be dealt with accordingly according to the law.

Leaders need to be truthful when filling their annual returns because it will amount to another breach if they intentionally trying to hide some assets from the people.

Ombudsman said that it requires honesty when filling up the leadership code annual return form. He urged the leaders from the very top down to ensure that all annual returns should be filed in time. He said that filling annual returns was set out by the law and required the Leaders to ‘MUST’ comply with.

The recent amendment of the Leadership Code directs all persons classified as Leaders under Article 67 of the Constitution and section 5 of the Leadership Code Act to submit their annual returns to the Ombudsman Office. Leaders are previously required to submit their annual returns to the Clerk of Parliament; however, this is now changed during the second sitting of the first ordinary session of parliament in 2020.