Ombudsman hits 'impunity of corruption' as gov't execs extort from legit businesses

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Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla on Friday called out corrupt government officials who extort from business owners by delaying permit issuance, among others, for their own gain.

Remulla made the statement during this meeting with the members of Cebu's lechon industry.

"Ang nangyayari ngayon is 'impunity of corruption.' Ang abuso from barangay captain, kagawad, tanod hanggang itaas. Grabe ang kikil. Pinahirapan nila ang negosyante. Hingi nang hingi. Iniipit. It comes to the point, kasosyo na sila ng mga negosyante. May porsyento na sila sa ginagawa niyo," Remulla said.

(What is happening is impunity of corruption. There's abuse of power starting with the barangay captain, council members, barangay watchmen, and up. The extortion is severe. They extort from businessmen and keep on asking for money. It comes to a point wherein these extortionists become business partners of the businessmen. They have a percentage of the profit.)

"Ang cost of doing business tumataas dahil maraming nang-iipit. At 'yan ang gusto natin baguhin. Maraming pressure sa amin. Protektahan 'to, huwag papatulan 'to. Huwag ikukulong 'yan, huwag idemanda 'yan. Hindi po. Kailangan gawin namin. Gagawin namin talaga," Remulla added.

(The cost of doing business is so high because there are lots of extortionists. And that is what we want to change. We face a lot of pressure. Protect this and that, don't send them to jail, don't file cases against certain people. No. We need to do our job and we will do our job.)

Ombudsman Remulla then said the government should enable legitimate business operations, instead of standing in their way.

"It shouldn't happen. Government should be there to assist business because you are the economy. The business sector's role is crucial in driving economic growth, generating employment and improving the purchasing power of Filipinos," Remulla said.

Remulla then cited the opening of the Investors' Window in the Ombudsman, which is a mechanism wherein business owners and investors may bring forward concerns involving government officials and transactions that impede their operations such as extortion, abuse of authority, unreasonable delays and other forms of misconduct in government.

"Kung ang Anti-Red Tape Authority report sa amin, 'yung permit hindi binibigay, susulatan natin 'yan. Sa susunod 'yan, 'pag hindi pa rin ginawa 'yan, suspend kaagad 'yan. Suspendihin natin kaagad 'yung concerned official. I can assure you that. Binigay sa amin ang power ng batas para gawin 'yan," Remulla said.

(If the permit to operate business is being withheld, then we will write them. If they still won't comply, we'll hand them suspension order. We have the power to do that.) — VDV, GMA News