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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Ombudsman tells politicians to choose business or public office amid conflict-of-interest probes

Ombudsman tells politicians to choose business or public office amid conflict-of-interest probes

Published Jul 11, 2026 11:33 am  |  Updated Jul 11, 2026 07:56 pm

At A Glance

  • Remulla said it is time to end the practice of elected officials mixing public office with private business interests.
(SANTI SAN JUAN/MB FILE PHOTO)
(SANTI SAN JUAN/MB FILE PHOTO)
Ombudsman Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla on Saturday, July 11, told politicians to choose between doing business and serving in government, saying public officials should stop engaging in government contracting amid the Office of the Ombudsman’s continuing conflict-of-interest investigations.
Remulla said it is time to end the practice of elected officials mixing public office with private business interests.
“Itong conflict of interest, tigilan na natin. Let’s set a standard in our country of decency. Maging disente naman tayong mga tao. Tama na ’yan (Let’s stop this conflict of interest. Let’s set a standard of decency in our country. Let’s be decent people. That’s enough),” he said during an interview with DZRH.
He said those who want to engage in business should refrain from entering politics.
“Magnegosyo ka kung gusto mo, pero huwag kang magpo-politika (If you want to do business, then do business, but don’t go into politics),” he said.
Likewise, Remulla stressed that the issue is not limited to party-list lawmakers.
“Hindi lang naman party-list ang nagko-contractor, may mga district congressman na kasama (It’s not only party-list representatives who are contractors. There are also district congressmen involved),” he said.
The Ombudsman’s remarks come as his office continues pursuing complaints against lawmakers allegedly engaged in government contracting despite constitutional and statutory prohibitions on conflicts of interest.  
(JEL SANTOS/MB FILE PHOTO)
(JEL SANTOS/MB FILE PHOTO)
Earlier this month, Assistant Ombudsman Jose Dominic “Mico” Clavano IV announced that the complaints against Jojo Ang and Noel Rivera had been elevated from fact-finding to the preliminary investigation stage after investigators found sufficient basis to proceed. The complaints allege violations of the conflict-of-interest provisions under Republic Act No. 3019, or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.  
Clavano explained that lawmakers are prohibited from owning construction firms because they exercise influence over the national budget, and any government benefit flowing to companies they own or beneficially control may constitute a conflict of interest under the law. 
As such, he disclosed that additional complaints involving other lawmakers are expected to reach the preliminary investigation stage.  

Related Tags

Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla Boying Remulla conflict of interest government contracting public officials corruption investigation business and politics anti-graft Philippines politics
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