Ombudsman Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla on Saturday called out garbage collection contracts as a primary driver of corruption in local government units, alleging that waste management has turned into a lucrative racket for corrupt officials.
“Pinakamalaking negosyo ng lahat ng mayor ng Pilipinas, lahat walang exception,” Remulla said on his radio program, pointing to widespread allegations of irregularities within the sector.
He exempted Pasig City, under the leadership of Mayor Vico Sotto, who has championed governance reform and anti-corruption efforts.
“Baka sa Pasig lang matino,” the chief graft-buster noted.
Remulla, however, did not name specific mayors, cite particular contracts, or disclose any pending cases to back up his broad statement.
Beyond local governments, Remulla directed criticism at the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) over alleged lapses in overseeing waste management, land titling, and unauthorized land reclamation projects.
He stressed that the core mission of the Office of the Ombudsman extends past isolated investigations, requiring an overhaul of the prevailing culture of entitlement and impunity among certain public servants.
He observed that a number of officials have grown comfortable wielding power without expecting consequences for alleged misconduct. To counter this mindset, his office is reinforcing preventive systems and ensuring strict accountability through legal channels when violations are proven.
Remulla highlighted the “Resident Ombudsman Program” as a key initiative aimed at overseeing state agencies, spotting governance risks early, and conducting preliminary probes into prospective irregularities.