PRESS RELEASE
11 AUGUST 2026
“ALWAYS LOOK FOR EVIDENCE”
OMB REMULLA RALLIES OMBUDSMAN VISAYAS PERSONNEL IN FLOOD CONTROL INVESTIGATION AND PROSECUTION
CEBU CITY, Philippines — Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla on Monday, August 10, called on personnel of the Office of the Ombudsman–Visayas to help restore decency, transparency and accountability in public service.
Speaking before Ombudsman Visayas personnel, OMB Remulla stressed the importance of strong evidence in the Ombudsman’s work in the campaign against corruption.
“I’m always looking for the evidence that will buttress the claims that someone has committed a crime because we do not want to accuse anybody without any evidence,” OMB Remulla said.
This comes as the Office intensifies its investigation into alleged irregularities in flood control and other infrastructure projects.
In Cebu alone, a total of P60B were poured into flood control projects.
OMB Remulla said the Office’s sustained investigations and prosecutions should ultimately contribute to changing behavior in government and restoring confidence in public institutions.
“It’s not about targeting people. It’s about targeting a change in our society. It’s more important,” he said.
He also acknowledged that Ombudsman investigators may have to confront individuals with considerable resources, influence and power.
OMB Remulla reminded them that this is part of the responsibility that comes with public service.
“The people we go up against are not pushovers. They have money, they have power, and they’re armed and probably violent later on. We don’t know. But that’s the risk we have to take when we took on this job as members of the Office of the Ombudsman,” Remulla said.
OMB Remulla also underscored the need to closely examine conflict-of-interest situations involving those who exercise influence over public funds while maintaining financial interests in government contracts.
“When I was in Congress, I knew there were congressmen who were contractors. It was something that was there, but not as blatantly made as now. Because then, the congressmen became contractors. And then the contractors became congressmen. And that’s where probably everything just blew apart,” OMB Remulla said.
OMB Remulla also emphasized that the strongest deterrent to corruption is not merely the severity of the penalty, but the certainty that those responsible will be held accountable.
“It is the certainty of punishment. The certainty of punishment will always resonate among the people who commit acts of corruption,” OMB Remulla said.
“Pag nahuli, kulong, mas maraming iiwas sa ganitong gawain. And it is our job to do that. It is our job to make sure that examples are set that crime does not pay. Especially in government,” he added.
OMB Remulla also challenged Ombudsman personnel to see their work as part of the broader task of building a country in which Filipinos have more reason to believe in their institutions and in public service.
“We have to create that kind of country. Help create it,” he said. “We can help create and foster a better environment for the country to prosper and for everybody in the country to prosper.”#
