Ombudsman to mayors: Check LGU offices for corruption in waste management contracts

Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla on Saturday called on mayors to scrutinize offices under their supervision for possible corruption in local garbage collection and waste management contracts.

In his radio program, Remulla commended some mayors, including Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte and Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto, who refuse to be involved in such schemes.

However, Remulla pointed out that certain offices under their leadership may have been involved in corruption.

"Siguro sa Metro Manila, we can say Vico at Joy Belmonte. May mga iba pa, na hindi nila kailangan iyon. Hindi sila pumapatol. Sa ilalim nila—, 'yung mga opisina, Business Processing Licensing Office, Office of the Building Official. Lahat 'yan tsekin niyo," Remulla said.

(Maybe in Metro Manila, we can say Vico and Joy Belmonte. There are others who do not need that. They don't engage. Mayors, you should check the local Business Processing Licensing Office, Office of the Building Official, all the offices under you.)

"You should be aware of people under you who are committing shenanigans," he added.

In a statement, Belmonte said allegations of corruption should be investigated but warned against making sweeping accusations.

“It’s good that he made the clarification and offered good advice. As we said in our earlier statement at M4GG [Mayors for Good Governance], we share the belief that allegations of wrongdoing must be investigated, but sweeping accusations are dangerous because they undermine the integrity of many LCEs who are doing their best to practice good governance,” Belmonte said.

“In QC, we pursued digital transformation precisely to stop the culture of corruption and padulas. With our digital systems in place, mas madali na rin ma-trace kung sakaling merong kalokohan na ginagawa at the level of offices, kasi lahat ng transactions merong tracking numbers and digital footprint. Complementing the systems are our reforms for accountability. Rest assured na hindi tayo takot panagutin ang mga erring employees and officials kung mapatunayang lumabag at nagkamali,” she added.

(In QC, we pursued digital transformation precisely to stop the culture of corruption and padulas. With our digital systems in place, it is also easier to trace if there is any wrongdoing at the office level, because all transactions have tracking numbers and a digital footprint. Complementing the systems are our reforms for accountability. Rest assured that we are not afraid to hold erring employees and officials accountable if they are proven to have violated rules or committed wrongdoing.)

Meanwhile, Remulla called on the public to report irregularities involving mayors and offices under them.

"Ito ang challenge ko sa kanila, at saka sa taongbayan. Kung may reklamo kayo sa mayor, o sa nangyayari sa bayan na nag-apply kayo ng lisensiya. Ireklamo niyo sa mayor, furnish us a copy. Tapos, i-furnish-an niyo rin ng copy ang ARTA para magkaalaman kung sino ang kikilos sa atin," Remulla said, referring to the Anti-Red Tape Authority.

(This is my challenge to them, and also to the public. If you have a complaint against the mayor, or about what is happening in the area where you applied for a license. Complain to the mayor, furnish us with a copy. Then, furnish ARTA with a copy so that we know who will act.)

"'Pag ayaw kayong bigyan ng business permit, sabihin niyo," he added.

(If you are not given a business permit, tell us.) — VDV/VBL, GMA News