Remulla Eyes Investment Ombudsman to Address Business Concerns, Curb Corruption

Ombudsman Jesus Crispin "Boying" Remulla said Saturday his office was planning to establish an investment ombudsman tasked to address concerns of business leaders. Speaking on his weekly radio program, Remulla discussed with his co-hosts the various ways how government processes burden different stakeholders. The discussion raised that many business leaders and groups were hesitant to invest because of political instability—so whatever businesses are already operating should have fewer requirements. Remulla called for the lessening the requirements for businesses, saying this may lead to more jobs for Filipinos. "Magtatayo kami ng… investment ombudsman (We will establish an investment ombudsman)," Remulla said on radio station dzRH. With such a government position in place, entrepreneurs would be able to go to the investment ombudsman if they have complaints at the barangay level or higher. The investment ombudsman is an old post, with multiple administrations attempting to revive the post to curb corruption in the procurement of business permits from the government. In 2007, then-Trade secretary Peter Favila attempted to place an investment ombudsman within the Department of Trade and Industry. Remulla said efforts were already underway to hire more lawyers for the effort. "We're hiring 61 more lawyers ngayon hanggang December, then next year, we will hire 100 or 200 more." (We're hiring 61 more lawyers now until December, then next year, we will hire 100 or 200 more.) Remulla admitted that there were issues with agencies such as the Anti-Red Tape Authority and the Philippine Competition Commission, but did not elaborate. — VDV, GMA News