Ombudsman Remulla pushes transparency law, digital access to public bids

CEBU CITY, Philippines — Ombudsman Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla is pushing for legislation that will require government bidding processes to be digitally recorded and made open to the public, saying transparency should extend from the barangay level to the national government.

Remulla raised the proposal during his visit to the Ombudsman Visayas Area Office in Cebu City on Monday, August 10, where he met with personnel for updates on investigations.

The call for greater transparency comes as the Ombudsman examines government projects in Cebu and other parts of the Visayas, including about ₱60 billion worth of flood control projects poured into Cebu over the past six years, according to Remulla.

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Making government bids more accessible

Ombudsman Remulla said that digital tools could make government bidding processes more transparent and accessible to the public.

He wants legislation requiring bidding processes to be digitally recorded and made available for the public to examine.

“Lahat ng bidding process dapat record nila. Dapat diyan open. Dapat diyan live,” Remulla said.

(All the bidding processes should be recorded, open, and streamed live.)

He said the system should cover bidding from the barangay level up to the executive department, allowing the public to see government transactions more easily.

Technology already available

Remulla said the technology needed for such access is already available.

“Pwede naman, digital tools lang yan. Doesn’t cost more than what they have. A cell phone can transmit information everybody needs to know if transparency is being practiced,” he said.

Remulla said he is in dialogue with the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the Senate President regarding measures that the Ombudsman wants prioritized.

He said the proposed legislation would make electronic reporting and recording of government bidding processes part of the transparency measures the Office of the Ombudsman is working for.

Transparency amid flood control review

Remulla’s transparency push comes as the Ombudsman looks into about ₱60 billion in flood control projects implemented in Cebu over the past six years.

He said that investigators will start with areas that experienced flooding and examine the projects implemented there. How were these executed? Were these effective?

The review will also include the DPWH Regional Director’s office and district engineers, particularly their project outputs.

Remulla said that the Ombudsman is also looking into the “no-bidding phenomenon” and rigged bidding, as well as allegations involving ghost and substandard projects.

Ombudsman Remulla on making public feedback easier

He said digital tools could help the office verify the locations and existence of projects, including the alleged ghost flood control project in Barangay Singsing, Balamban.

Remulla said that transparency should also involve making it easier for the public to raise concerns and for the Ombudsman to see those complaints.

“Kaya nga, we’re going after transparency and open communications for the Office of the Ombudsman, para makita natin ’yung reklamo ng tao,” he said. (We’re going after transparency and open communications, so we can more easily see the public’s complaints.)

Corruption is more than a problem involving only high-ranking officials.

Lifestyle checks, conflict of interest

Remulla cited shanties along waterfronts, riversides and coastal areas as examples of situations that may reflect problems at the local level, particularly when barangay authorities allow people to occupy prohibited areas.

He said that addressing corruption requires attention across different levels of government.

Aside from project documents and bidding processes, Remulla said that the Ombudsman is looking into conducting lifestyle checks on DPWH district engineers and other engineers, as well as examining contractors involved in government projects.

“We are also into looking into conducting lifestyle checks on the district engineers, and the other engineers of the DPWH. We don’t want to hyperfocus on them, but probably we will start with them,” Remulla said.

Public officials who are also contractors

He also identified conflict of interest as another area the Ombudsman is examining, particularly public officials who may also have interests as contractors.

Remulla referred to such officials as “cong-tractors,” or congressmen who are also project contractors. He believes it’s an issue the public should examine across the country.

“It’s impunity at its highest point when the people who are supposed to make the law, break the law,” he said.

The Ombudsman is not limitng its review to flood control projects in Cebu.

Other projects, areas under review

Remulla also cited “ghost electricity” involving solar projects among other schemes the office is looking into.

He identified Eastern Visayas, Bohol, Tacloban, and Negros Oriental as areas of focus, along with Antique and Iloilo City.

Remulla said the office is looking at the broader range of government projects and using available tools to examine specific areas.

Remulla also called on citizens to pay attention to government activities, stay informed about issues affecting their communities and participate in efforts to promote accountability.

Ombudsman Remulla asks the public to take part

He said greater transparency and open communication would allow the public to see government concerns and complaints.

The Ombudsman chief said that his office’s role is to protect the public and ensure that government institutions remain accountable.

“We have to tip the balance in favor of the people. Hindi dapat ’yong powerful, it should be the powerless. We have to tip the balance for the ordinary Filipinos,” Remulla said.

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