Environmental Ombudsman Gerard Mosquera. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO / GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE
Environmental Ombudsman Gerard Mosquera is set to file charges against 100 local government units (LGUs) for violating Republic Act No. 9003, also known as the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000 by the start of 2017.
鈥淣ext year will be the last phase of the (Environmental Ombudsman) program. We plan to file 100 complaints against 100 LGUs,鈥� he said in an INQ and A interview on Tuesday.
He said his team is currently working on the list given by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and aims to isolate the 100 LGUs maintaining open dumpsites, and those with the highest number of violations.
Mosquera said they have initially filed cases against 50 LGUs all over the country since April of this year for violation of the solid waste management act.
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鈥淏ecause we filed these 50 cases, now we realized na totohanan na ito (now we realized that this is intensive), and they can actually be charged,鈥� he said.
The Environmental Ombudsman鈥檚 fact-finding investigation was launched as part of the Office of the Ombudsman鈥檚 campaign to ensure compliance of R.A. 9003. All fact-finding cases may lead to criminal and administrative cases.
鈥淏ago kayo makasuhan ng Ombudsman (Before the Ombudsman file a case against you), it鈥檚 best to comply now because once we file the cases, wala ng paki-usapan (no more pleas, special requests),鈥� he warned.
He also added violators will have to face the full course of the law. 鈥淚f you look on the law, there鈥檚 really no defense against a complaint or a charge for violation of 9003, because the law is very clear,鈥� Mosquera said.
The purpose of the program is to promote higher level of compliance by other LGUs. Mosquera added they have nothing personal against the public officials who the Ombudsman is prosecuting.
鈥淥ur job is to prosecute these people so the others will not follow them for we now engage in proper or ethical or legal behavior,鈥� he said. TVJ
READ: Ombudsman targets more dumpsites; illegal miners next