Remulla meets Cebu biz leaders

CEBU, Philippines — Ombudsman Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla has assured Cebu business leaders that the anti-graft office will help address governance problems, reduce red tape, and improve government processes to create a fair and more accessible environment for businesses and investors.

 Remulla made the commitment during a town hall dialogue with Cebu business leaders on Thursday, October 22, to discuss corruption risks, regulatory bottlenecks, and other challenges encountered by businesses in dealing with government agencies.

The event provided an opportunity for the government and private sector to identify concrete areas where they could work together to improve public services and strengthen investor confidence.

Remulla said the country should not simply blame circumstances for its problems but should learn from past failures and prepare better for future challenges.

He cited an example involving a solar energy company, saying some entities had obtained exclusive rights through franchises to establish power plants but allegedly transferred or flipped these rights for profit instead of developing the projects.

Such practices, he said, undermine government systems and should be addressed through prosecution when warranted.

“We follow the law, but when we follow and obey the law, we should also be conscious of our civic duty to be good citizens of this country,” Remulla said.

He stressed the need to keep the country’s investment environment open and fair while preventing the exploitation of regulatory and legal systems.

“The investment window of our country has to be fully open, and it has to be fair,” he said.

Remulla said identifying problems in government processes would allow authorities to determine how to make the system work more effectively for the public and the business sector.

He cited efforts to improve services at the Land Transportation Office (LTO), including the use of the Land Transportation Management System, which was acquired by the government in 2015.

The system was intended to reduce opportunities for fixers by allowing transactions, including renewals, to be processed online and limiting face-to-face interactions.

“We have started doing it. So that’s one example of what we want to do for the country,” Remulla said.

He emphasized that the Ombudsman’s mandate should go beyond investigating and prosecuting government officials, saying the office should also help improve government systems.

“It’s not all catching people and putting them in jail. No, it’s not that. It’s really making government work better,” he said.

Remulla also welcomed stronger engagement with the business sector, citing his experience in Cavite where, during his tenure as governor, he said efforts to attract investments helped generate jobs.

He said Cavite attracted 15 foreign direct investments, which created employment opportunities for residents.  The experience, he said, reinforced the importance of maintaining an investment-friendly environment and addressing government processes that could discourage businesses.

Remulla also cited regulatory capture and other deep-rooted governance concerns that require concrete government action.   He said the Ombudsman plans to hold a regulatory summit in 2027 that would bring together regulatory agencies to promote transparency and encourage the delivery of government services online.

The town hall meeting also included the presentation of highlights from a baseline survey conducted among business participants, an interactive dialogue, and the identification of priority concerns and possible collaborative actions.

The activity forms part of efforts to strengthen cooperation between the business community and government in promoting transparent, accountable, and efficient public service.

Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) President Regan King welcomed the engagement between the business community and the Office of the Ombudsman, saying the initiative could help restore business confidence in government and address long-standing problems in securing permits.

King told The Freeman that the Ombudsman’s decision to directly engage business leaders was “very inspiring,” particularly as it demonstrated the government’s seriousness in addressing corruption and improving the ease of doing business.

He said the initiative could complement the ongoing efforts of the Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) and the CCCI to identify and address stumbling blocks encountered by businesses, particularly delays in securing permits.

 “Small steps now become gain trust and confidence,” King said.

 He said many members of the business community have been hesitant to engage government because of fears that raising concerns could result in repercussions, even when they have complied with existing requirements.

 With the Ombudsman now engaging directly with the business sector, King said entrepreneurs could have greater confidence that complaints involving government transactions would be heard and acted upon.

One of the primary concerns raised by the business sector was the lengthy processing of permits.

“Simple lang as kuha og permits gyud. Kana ang basic gyud,” King said, citing business permits, building permits and fire safety requirements among the concerns.

He said delays in obtaining permits could affect business operations because establishments cannot legally operate without the necessary clearances.

King said the business community could now bring complaints about unreasonable delays in government transactions to the Ombudsman, including those involving barangay officials and other local government personnel.

He said the engagement could provide businesses with a venue to seek assistance when they encounter problems in government offices.

King also said the business sector would raise other concerns in succeeding engagements, including the need for greater transparency and predictability in government policies and taxation.

He said foreign investors, in particular, look for clear and predictable rules before deciding where to invest.

King said government policies should be applied consistently and clearly, without additional interpretations that could create uncertainty for businesses.  He also welcomed the possibility of holding regular engagements with the Ombudsman, saying the initial town hall meeting was only a starting point.

King said the CCCI would also work to involve other chambers and business organizations in future discussions so that the Ombudsman could hear concerns from a broader segment of the business community.

He clarified that the initiative to reach out to the business sector came from the Ombudsman’s office, rather than from the chamber.  He said the business community was initially skeptical about the purpose of the engagement but eventually welcomed the Ombudsman’s proactive approach.

 “We are happy with that because proactive approach ni, dili sila reactive,” King said.-  FPL (CEBU NEWS)