Ombudsman eyes hiring more lawyers to hasten case investigations

The Office of the Ombudsman is eyeing hiring more lawyers this year to expedite the resolution of pending cases.

Baguio Lone District Representative Mauricio Domogan asked Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla how long it takes for his office to work on complaints.

"The complaints that have been filed in your office, how long will it take? Usually, there's a conduct of the preliminary investigation; how long will it take to be processed?" he asked during the budget briefing on the Office of the Ombudsman's budget for 2027.

In response, Remulla said that they recently hired 60 lawyers and are planning to hire 40 more this year.

"The first stage that we undertake here is fact-finding, which is 30 days for non-complex cases and 60 days for more complex cases. Then we have preliminary investigation, which is 30 to 60 days," the Ombudsman said.

"So right now, we have put tighter deadlines to do our work. We just hired 60 more lawyers this year. We will be hiring 40 more for the year...to help us meet that kind of deadline because it can be very stringent on those conducting the investigations," he added.

With its recent measure to expedite its procedures, the Office of the Ombudsman reported improvement in its conviction rate in the Sandiganbayan this year.

"As of June 30, 2026, the Ombudsman reached a conviction rate of 65.52% in the Sandiganbayan...We actually have amended our rules of procedure to fast-track the preliminary investigation as well as the fact-finding initiatives of our office," said Assistant Ombudsman Luis Bonoan Jr.

"As of 2025, our conviction rate in the Sandiganbayan was 42% as compared to this years 65.52%," he added.

Flood control

The Office of the Ombudsman has been at the forefront in the investigation of anomalous infrastructure projects, including flood control works.

Remulla said that they are planning to establish a committee that would look into how government offices spend their budgets.

"Kung DPWH ang pag-uusapan, dapat ginagamit natin ang RDC (Regional Development Council). Lahat ng proyekto dapat naka-plano...Dapat deliberate tayo every step of the way sa paggastos ng pera ng bayan," he said.

(When it comes to DPWH, we should be using the RDC (Regional Development Council). All projects should be planned... We need to be deliberate every step of the way in spending public funds.)

"Kaya ang aming gagawin dito sa opisina, magtatayo kami ng isang committee na babantayan lamang ang budget at kung paano ginagastos ang pera ng bayan, na pwede ring maging sumbungan ng taong bayan kung mayroong pagmamalabis," Remulla added.

(So what we will do here in the office is set up a committee dedicated solely to monitoring the budget and how public funds are spent, which can also serve as a channel for the public to file complaints if there is abuse.)

Meanwhile, ACT Teachers Partylist Representative Antonio Tinio asked for an update on the Ombudsman's probe on the allegations made by former lawmaker Zaldy Co regarding billions of pesos in controversial insertions in the national budget in 2025.

"Ang tanong po natin, kumusta ang imbestigasyon kaugnay sa involvement ng officials ng Malacanang mismo na na-involve sa flood control or at least may mga statement at testimonya na nagsasabing involved sila? I am talking about the public statements made by Zaldy Co," said Tinio.

(Our question is, how is the investigation progressing regarding the involvement of Malacañang officials who were involved in flood control, or at least where there are statements and testimonies linking them? I am talking about the public statements made by Zaldy Co.)

For his part, Remulla assured that the investigation is ongoing. He noted that they are not obliged to tell every step of the process to protect their investigation.

"Wala ho sigurong naririnig, sapagkat hindi namin trabaho na ipabalita yung aming pinakukulo pa. Kasi hindi madaling magbuo ng kaso. Ang pagbubuo ng kaso ay base sa ebidensya. Hindi natin maaring ibalita sa tao ang bawat kilos na ginagawa namin," he said.

(You probably haven't heard anything because it isn't our job to announce what we are still brewing. Building a case isn't easy; it has to be based on evidence. We cannot report every move we make to the public.)

"Humihingi lang kami ng kaunting pag-unawa. Sapagkat kung ilantad namin lahat ng aming ginagawa, alam na ng aming mga sinusundan ang aming ginagawa. Dapat may panahon na tahimik tayo sa kaso. Pero wala kaming pinababayaan, masasabi ko sa inyo 'yan. Wala kaming pinalulusot dito," Remulla added.

(We just ask for a little understanding. Because if we reveal everything we are doing, the people we are pursuing will know our moves. There are times we need to remain silent about a case. But we aren't neglecting anything; I can assure you of that. We aren't letting anyone off the hook here.) —LDF, GMA News