By Tracy Cabrera
BATASAN, Quezon City — In a bid to prevent public officials with alleged conflicts of interest from seeking elective posts, Ombudsman Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla is pushing for stricter screening of political aspirants by requiring them to declare under oath that they have no conflict of interest as part of their Certificate of Candidacy (CoC).
Remulla proposed to Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman George Erwin Garcia, saying the current CoC requirements should be amended to include a sworn declaration carrying the penalty of disqualification for candidates found to have made false statements 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,” Remulla said.
“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 allegedly serving as government contractors while holding public office.
Earlier, the Ombudsman disclosed that it is already building 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.
Remulla said the campaign targets around 12 to 15 lawmakers, along with several mayors, who are allegedly engaged in government contracting while in office.
He has challenged the officials involved to choose between public service and private business, stressing that elected officials maintaining interests in construction firms while exercising government authority may be violating the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.
Remulla also rejected the common defense raised by some politicians that they had divested their business interests upon assuming office, saying continued ownership or ties to construction companies while serving in government remain prohibited under the law.
Previously, the Ombudsman elevated several cases involving legislators to the preliminary investigation stage, including those involving Uswag Ilonggo party-list Rep. James “Jojo” Ang Jr. and Tarlac 2nd District Rep. Maria Cristina “Cristy” Angeles.
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