Ombudsman flags garbage contracts

Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla revealed Saturday that he had received calls about alleged corruption schemes in local garbage collection and waste management involving local government officials.

“I received a call as early as last week regarding garbage and the Mayor’s involvement in wrongdoing involving garbage,” Remulla said during his radio program.

“There are mayors who do not join the garbage racket,” he added.

The Ombudsman said that in Metro Manila, he could cite Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte and Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto as mayors who refuse to engage in such schemes.

He, meanwhile, urged local government units to monitor their personnel for possible corruption.

“Under them — the offices, the Business Processing and Licensing Office, the Office of the Building Official. Check all of those must be checked,” the Ombudsman pointed out.

Remulla reiterated his challenge to LGUs and citizens to file complaints with the mayor’s office and furnish a copy to the Office of the Ombudsman if they have complaints against the mayor or about what happens when they apply for a license.