MANILA, Philippines 鈥� Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla bared the prevailing culture of corruption in the catering services at the New Bilibid Prison (NBP).
Speaking before the Senate panel on finance鈥檚 hearing on the 2025 budget of the Department of Justice, Remulla said the problem starts with bidding.
鈥淎ng problema nga, maraming gustong kumita at dyan po tayo nalilintikan. Ang estimate ng aking mga kasama sa loob ng DOJ sa P70 [ay] maswerte na kung P45 ay pumupunta talaga sa lamesa ng bawat nakakulong,鈥� said Remulla.
(The problem is that many people want to make money, and that鈥檚 where the problem comes in. Our colleagues in DOJ estimate that it鈥檚 already good if P45 of the PP70 daily meal allowance goes to each prisoner.)
鈥淜aya yun po 鈥榶ung isang problema dyan. Kaya we have to figure out a way to feed them without any corruption coming in,鈥� he added.
(That鈥檚 the problem. That鈥檚 why we must find a solution to feed them while preventing corruption.)
Sen. Grace Poe, who was presiding over the hearing as panel chairperson, asked who was behind the supposed corruption.
Remulla, however, did not give any details and instead said that had been prevailing for quite some time.
鈥淜ultura na po ito. Nandyan na sa napakahabang panahon,鈥� said Remulla.
(It has become a culture. It has been there for quite some time.)
Remulla shared that when he was named justice secretary,聽 he was immediately approached by those interested in the NBP catering contract but did not entertain them.