Ombudsman Urges Mayors to Scrutinize LGU Offices for Corruption in Waste Management Deals

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. "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. 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. "'Pag ayaw kayong bigyan ng business permit, sabihin niyo," he added. — VDV/VBL, GMA News