Commission on Elections (Comelec) headquarters at Palacio del Gobernador in Intramuros, Manila. Photo courtesy of Philippine News Agency (PNA).
In a bid to restrict public officials allegedly moonlighting as government contractors from running for elected position and, Ombudsman Jesus Crispin ‘Boying’ Remulla is pushing for stricter screening of political aspirants, urging the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to require candidates to declare under oath that they have no conflict of interest as part of their certificate of candidacy (CoC).
Remulla made this proposal to Comelec chairman George Erwin Garcia as he cited that the filing of CoC requirement should be amended to include a sworn declaration carrying the penalty of disqualification for candidates found to have lied or violated the provision.
“Let’s amend the certificate of candidacy so that it includes a sworn statement declaring that the candidate has no conflict of interest.That should become part of the COC,” he enthused.
“If you make a false declaration, you should be disqualified,” he added.
Remulla’s proposal comes as the Office of the Ombudsman (OMB) intensifies its crackdown on public officials who are also said to be government contractors at the same time.
Prior to this, the Ombudsman revealed that they are already toldbuilding cases against several incumbent legislators for allegedly violating Section 3(h) of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, which prohibits public officials from having direct or indirect financial interests in government contracts or businesses in which they may intervene in their official capacity.
Accordingly, Remulla is leading the massive crackdown on politicians, including 12 to 15 lawmakers and various mayors, who double as government contractors.
He has openly challenged these officials to choose between public service and private business, warning that elected officials mixing politics with construction businesses is a clear violation of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.
He dismissed the common excuse used by politicians who claim they divested their business interests upon assuming office, stating that owning or maintaining ties to construction firms while in power is prohibited.
In the past, the OMB has elevated cases against legislators to the preliminary investigation stage, identifying officials such as Uswag Ilonggo party-list representative James ‘Jojo’ Ang Jr. and Tarlac District II congresswoman Maria Cristina ‘Cristy’ Angeles.