Joan Llinares and Ángel Luna stood together at the moment the cooperation protocol was signed between the Valencia Community Ombudsman and the Valencia Anti-Fraud Office. This accord aligns with the requirements of the new Law 2/2023 on the protection of persons reporting corruption, commonly known as the whistleblower law. The agreement outlines concrete steps to strengthen the flow of information and protect those who come forward with concerns about corruption. Among the key actions is the establishment of Síndic de Greuges as an external channel for complaints, which will be prominently visible on the Agency’s website to ensure easy access for whistleblowers and the public alike.
The newly forged alliance centers on ensuring that every report is handled with transparency and care. The Agency will assist in linking its complaints mailbox to the appropriate technology, enabling secure and efficient submission and tracking of reports. It will also help in building an internal information pathway that supports employees and officers who come forward with information about wrongdoing. Training programs will be designed to raise awareness about reporting procedures, protections, and best practices for handling sensitive information.
This collaboration also emphasizes robust protection measures for whistleblowers, recognizing that safeguarding those who raise concerns is essential to maintaining public ethics and institutional integrity. The agreement is seen as a practical example of how public bodies can work side by side to prevent fraud and corruption while upholding ethical standards across government operations.
The head of the agency remarked that this partnership demonstrates a commitment to cooperation between institutions. The aim is to strengthen ethics, integrity, and accountability in public administration by creating reliable channels for reporting and a supportive environment for those who report misconduct.
The state of Alicante reports the highest levels of protection for individuals within the Community Anti-Fraud framework, reflecting a broader regional effort to safeguard whistleblowers and ensure that concerns reach appropriate oversight bodies without fear of retaliation. This initiative is part of a wider strategy to empower citizens and employees to act as champions of honesty in public service, backed by clear processes and protective measures.
In practical terms, the agreement calls for the technology to connect the complaints mailbox to the Agency’s reporting system, the establishment of an accessible internal information channel, comprehensive support for reporters, and ongoing training sessions. These elements work together to create an ecosystem where information flows securely, responses are timely, and protections are visible and enforceable.
The cooperation is framed as more than a procedural step; it is a signal of renewed public trust and a proactive stance against corruption. By aligning with whistleblower protections, the institutions aim to foster a culture of accountability that extends beyond compliance to genuine ethical leadership.
The collaboration is expected to influence broader practices across the public sector, encouraging other agencies to adopt similar protective measures and transparent reporting mechanisms. This alignment between oversight bodies signals a shared commitment to ethical governance, where the voices of those who report wrongdoing are valued and safeguarded.
Attribution: Valencia Community Ombudsman information office and Valencia Anti-Fraud Office announcements. This summary reflects the key components of the protocol and its intended impact on public ethics and anti-fraud efforts.