61 service awardees honored at OMB’s 38th Anniversary; longevity in service credited to common goal of fighting corruption

PRESS RELEASE |
14 MAY 2026

61 service awardees honored at OMB’s 38th Anniversary; longevity in service credited to common goal of fighting corruption

QUEZON CITY, Philippines – True to government’s commitment of recognizing loyal and honest public service, the Office of the Ombudsman honored its long-serving personnel for exemplary service to the institution and the country.

Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla personally handed out service awards to 61 employees during the OMB’s 38th Anniversary program.

Ombudsman Remulla stressed the importance of the Office and its employees in the stability and future of the country.

“Sa ikamumulat ng taumbayan, may pag-asa pa ang republika ng bayan. May pag-asa pa ang ating bansa. Ang binigay sa ating trabaho dito ay isang trabaho na sa ating pinagkatiwala ang kinabukasan ng Republika ng Pilipinas,” Remulla said.

He also encouraged OMB employees to soldier on and continue with the fight against corruption.

“Basta mahalaga, ginagawa natin ang trabaho natin. Malinis ang ating konsensya. Ang binabayad sa atin ng taumbayan ay sulit na sulit at hindi tayo nagdadalawang isip sa pagharap ng ating tungkulin,” Remulla added.

Of the 61 service awardees, 47 personnel have been with the Office for more than 30 years.

Three of them have been with the OMB since the Office was created in 1988.

Starting out as clerks, Antonio Feliciano, Maria Agnes Forteza and Rosalia Hipolito have risen through the ranks and continue to provide selfless public service to this day.

Now a Supervising Administrative Officer, Feliciano emphasized that integrity should be a cornerstone of not just every OMB employee but of every public servant.

“Walang lagay-lagay. Hindi dapat tumatanggap. Isabuhay ang paggawa ng mabuti at paghahatid ng tapat na serbisyo,” Feliciano said.

For Administrative Assistant Hipolito, the shared experiences and a family atmosphere made working for the OMB a breeze.

“Sa 38 years ko, parang family ko na rin kasi ito. Mahal ko yung opisina, yung mga tao. Mahalaga ito kasi nilalabanan yung korapsyon at napapanagot yung taong dapat managot sa gobyerno, kahit mataas na opisyal pa yan,” Hipolito stressed.

For Graft Investigation Officer Forteza, public assistance through the OMB is where she found her calling.

“Yung ibinibigay mo kasing tulong, bumabalik sayo. Masaya ako at alam ko accomplished ako. Masasabi kong proud ako sa mga na-achieve,” Forteza said.

The Office of the Ombudsman is celebrating 38 years of unwavering public service. #