Ombudsman Remulla to public officials: Avoid conflict of interest, it's either business or politics

Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla on Saturday called on government officials to avoid conflict of interest when serving in public office and either choose business or politics, amid its ongoing investigations on some lawmakers.

“Itong conflict of interest, tigilan na natin. Let’s set a standard in our country of decency. Maging disente naman tayong mga tao. Tama na ’yan," Remulla said in his radio program.

(Let’s stop this conflict of interest. Let’s set a standard of decency in our country. Let’s be decent people. Stop it.)

“Magnegosyo ka kung gusto mo, pero huwag kang magpo-politika" he added.

(You may do business if you want, but don't do politics.)

Remulla said the practice of government officials acting as government contractors is not limited to party-lists only.

“Hindi lang naman party-list ang nagko-contractor. May mga district congressman na kasama," he said.

(Not only do party-list representatives serve as contractors, even district congressmen do so.)

The ombudsman said it is investigating two lawmakers over alleged graft for allegedly owning or having ties to construction business while being a public official, Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano said.

Clavano said the two lawmakers under probe over alleged violation of Section 3.h of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act are Uswag Ilonggo party-list Representative Jojo Ang and Tarlac Third District Representative Noel Rivera.

Further, at least eight "congtractors" are already under investigation over their alleged involvement in the flood control mess, Remulla earlier said. —KG, GMA News