PRESS RELEASE
03 August 2026
OMB preventively suspends Insurance Commissioner Regalado
QUEZON CITY — The Office of the Ombudsman has placed Insurance Commissioner Reynaldo A. Regalado under preventive suspension while it investigates administrative charges arising from the accreditation of insurance providers under the Personal Passenger Accident Insurance Program (PPAIP) for public utility vehicles.
In an Order dated 28 July 2026, the Office found sufficient grounds to place Regalado under preventive suspension for six months without pay pending the resolution of the administrative cases.
Regalado is facing complaints of Grave Misconduct, violations of Republic Act No. 6713 or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees and Republic Act No. 11032 or the Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery Act.
According to the complaint, Regalado allegedly approved the accreditation of a third insurance consortium despite questions over its memberships and timely filing of application.
The complaint further alleged conflict of interest against Regalado who previously served as senior counsel with the law firm representing the accredited consortium.
“Regalado was listed as Senior Counsel of AAQ Law. Regalado’s participation in any proceeding involving AAQ Law’s clients casts serious doubt as to his impartiality,” the Order said.
Regalado reportedly also failed to respond to requests seeking documents related to the accreditation, refused to release records necessary for an appeal and excluded the complainant’s lawyers from a conference with the Insurance Commission.
“This Office finds sufficient grounds for the issuance of an Order for Preventive Suspension against Regalado considering that there is strong evidence showing his guilt; the charges against him constitute grave misconduct; his continued stay in office may prejudice the investigation of the case filed against him; and, in order to preserve documents and evidence pertaining to this case which he has control and custody, and to avoid Regalado’s commission of further malfeasance and/or misfeasance in office,” the Order read.
The Order likewise cited allegations that Regalado’s actions showed manifest partiality by approving the accreditation of an insurance consortium despite alleged violations of the Insurance Commission’s own regulations governing the PPAIP accreditation process.
The Order states that Regalado’s preventive suspension shall remain effective until the administrative case is terminated. It also declared the suspension immediately executory, notwithstanding any motion or appeal, unless otherwise ordered by the Ombudsman or a court of competent jurisdiction.
Regalado is also facing a complaint for violating provisions of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.#