Ombudsman Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla took aim at public officials who also operate as government contractors, characterizing the dual role as an extreme form of impunity.
Speaking at a press briefing in Cebu on Monday, August 10, Remulla cautioned against using government posts to advance personal business interests, highlighting lawmakers and local chief executives who engage in contracting.
He noted that the Office of the Ombudsman is actively investigating conflict-of-interest abuses nationwide.
“‘Yung ‘Cong-tractors’—it’s impunity at its highest point,” Remulla said. “When the people who are supposed to make the law break the law.”
“It’s something that we have to stop from happening already,” he emphasized. “‘Pag ‘yung iyong mayor, ‘pag iyong congressman, parehong contractor, paano na tayong lahat niyan?”
Remulla warned that when financial gain drives individuals to run for office, the true core of public office is compromised.
“We know that it becomes the motivation for public service. It’s not anymore public service; it’s service to yourself,” Remulla remarked. “Eh, ba’t ka pa nagpupunta diyan? Why are you taking that office if that’s your only aim—to serve yourself?”
“Ang talagang tinitingnan dyan: conflict of interest everywhere in the country. We start with that,” he stated.
In his closing appeal, the Ombudsman urged politicians to refrain from contracting while in power to restore ethical standards across all levels of government.
“We have to return to decency. Sana naman maging disente ‘yung ating mga kasama sa gobyerno,” Remulla said.