Ombudsman: 209 flood control complaints under fact-finding investigation

Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla said Tuesday that 209 complaints involving flood control projects are under fact-finding investigation for the first six months of 2026, doubling its record of 124 complaints investigated last year.

Remulla made the announcement in a video message during the Southeast Asian Ombudsman Forum (SEAOF) hosted by the Philippines, since he is currently in New York for the 7th Global Conference on Sustainable Development at the UN Headquarters.

“Our office stands at the forefront of addressing one of the most significant governance challenges confronting our country. The investigation of flood control infrastructure projects involves serious concerns on public accountability, transparency, and the protection of public resources. To date, the office has acted on a substantial number of complaints. In 2025 alone, 124 complaints underwent fact-finding investigation, and 36 proceeded to preliminary investigation and or administrative adjudication,” Remulla said.

“In 2026, these efforts intensified with 209 complaints undergoing fact-finding investigation, with several cases advancing to formal proceedings, and finally, four cases filed before the courts. But beyond these numbers is a deeper responsibility to strengthen public trust and demonstrate that accountability institutions can respond with independence, fairness, professionalism, and resolve,” he added.

Remulla, however, said the Ombudsman’s work needs the help of regional platforms such as SEAOF, which is set to welcome its newest member, Sarawak Ombudsman Dator Shrey Abdul Gafur Sharif.

“To Chief Ombudsman Dator Shrey Abdul Gafur Sharif and colleagues, thank you for your patience, trust, and commitment throughout this process since your expression of interest last year. Your admission is more than the completion of membership formalities. It is the beginning of a deeper partnership founded on shared values and a common aspiration to advance accountability and good governance across Southeast Asia,” he said.

He also thanked the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) for continuing its partnership with SEAOF, particularly in undertaking the SEAOF Comparative Study and facilitating the development of the CEAF Strategic Roadmap 2027-2028 during the Senior Officials Meeting in Manila in March.

"These initiatives have strengthened our understanding of one another's institutional models and helped transform our shared aspirations into a clearer path for regional cooperation and long-term impact,” Remulla added.

In a separate interview, Deputy Ombudsman Jose Balmeo said SEAOF cooperation could be used by the country when the time comes that the assets of those involved in the flood control mess need to be frozen.

“That [regional cooperation] may be an avenue that we could consider. We hope that if ever that comes, we’ll be able to speed up the process due to our regional cooperation,” Balmeo said. —AOL, GMA News