Office of the Ombudsman Philippines, Sen. Miriam P. Defensor-Santiago Avenue (formerly Agham Road), Brgy. Bagong Pag-asa, Diliman, Quezon City (2026)

20/08/2026

PRESS STATEMENT
20 AUGUST 2026

Hindi bago ang recantation sa mga high-profile case. Classic pressure tactic ito. Hindi umiikot ang buong imbestigasyon sa iisa o kahit sa iilang witnesses.

Sa kabila nito, ipinapaalam ng Office of the Ombudsman na mayroon itong DALAWAMPU'T-WALONG (28) testigo na nakahandang magbigay ng direkta at materyal na kaalaman sa mga transaksyong sinisiyasat sa kaso ni dating Speaker Martin Romualdez. Nasa ilalim na sila ng legal process sa ngayon.

Ito'y mga taong nakauniporme at aktibo pa rin sa serbisyo.

Sa lahat ng nabigyan na o mabibigyan pa ng legal process, hindi choice ang pakikipagtulungan. Obligasyon 'yan sa batas. Sinuman ang mangahas humadlang, mangbara o manggulo sa proceedings ng Ombudsman ay haharap sa buong bigat ng batas.

Hindi hihinto ang paghahanap ng katotohanan kahit ayaw pang magsalita ninuman.

18/08/2026

PRESS RELEASE
18 AUGUST 2026

OMBUDSMAN SUSPENDS LTFRB CHIEF MENDOZA, OTC CHAIR GUADIZ OVER ₱13.3B COMPUTER FEE BURDEN ON MOTORISTS

QUEZON CITY, Philippines — Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla has ordered the preventive suspension of former Land Transportation Office (LTO) chiefs Vigor Mendoza II and Teofilo Guadiz III over the continued use of the STRADCOM-operated LTO information technology system that resulted in an additional ₱13.3 billion in computer fees.

Mendoza, now Chairman of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), and Guadiz, currently Chairperson of the Office of Transportation Cooperatives, were placed under preventive suspension without pay for six months or during the pendency of the administrative case against them.

The Order, dated August 17, 2026, found sufficient grounds to suspend Mendoza and Guadiz, citing strong evidence showing their guilt in the administrative charges for Grave Misconduct and Conduct Prejudicial to the Best Interest of the Service.

“The continued utilization of the LTO IT System by GUADIZ and MENDOZA demonstrates a patent disregard of established government policy and prior official directives intended to transition LTO operations to the LTMS,” the ruling said.

Central to the complaints is the continued use of the STRADCOM-operated LTO IT System despite the government’s implementation and acceptance of its replacement, the Land Transportation Management System or LTMS.

The Order said the Commission on Audit (COA) flagged the continued parallel use of the two systems resulted in the “non-maximization of the benefits” expected from the LTMS project.

COA found that this caused an “additional burden and expense for the transacting public” due to computer fees charged by STRADCOM, “which amounted to PhP13,379,196,499.73” from 2019 to 2025.

In 1998, the government and STRADCOM entered into a Build-Own-Operate Agreement which covered the establishment and operation of computer systems and other infrastructure used to process LTO transactions nationwide.

A Final Certificate of Acceptance was issued by then the DOTC, now the Department of Transportation, to STRADCOM in February 2003.

The original 10-year concession period expired on February 10, 2013 and was subsequently extended on a month-to-month basis.

In 2016, the LTO and STRADCOM entered into a Phase Out Agreement allowing the arrangement to continue while the LTO had no new or replacement IT system that was fully operational nationwide.

In 2018, the government contracted a joint venture led by Dermalog Identification Systems GmbH for the development and delivery of the new LTO core system, now known as the LTMS.

In 2021, the LTO issued a Certificate of Project Completion and Final Acceptance for the LTMS.

Following its implementation and rollout, the LTMS was institutionalized as the government’s principal platform for motor vehicle registration, licensing and related transportation transactions, with LTO operations directed to gradually transition away from the STRADCOM-operated system.

The Order further said that during Guadiz’s term in 2022, the then LTO Chief “pushed for the continued use of the LTO IT System” and “favored STRADCOM” with Guadiz saying “the old IT System provides a better solution”.

In 2023, during his term as LTO Chief, the Ombudsman found that Mendoza issued several memoranda “effectively reviving and institutionalizing the continued use of the LTO IT System through a parallel
utilization alongside the LTMS”.

In January 2025, Mendoza directed the processing of PUV registration renewals through the old system without requiring LTFRB confirmation.

The Ombudsman said the parallel utilization resulted “in the continued generation and collection of computer fees despite the expiration of the BOO Agreement” for STRADCOM.

The suspension order was ordered to preserve documents and evidence that may be under the control or custody of the respondents and to prevent the possible commission of further malfeasance or misfeasance in office.

The Order is immediately executory. #

14/08/2026

PRESS RELEASE
14 August 2026

Ombudsman Remulla urges Field Investigation graduates to uphold truth, public trust

QUEZON CITY, Philippines —Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla urged graduates of the Field Investigation Course (FIC) to carry on the program’s lessons of upholding competence, discipline and integrity.

In a video message during the FIC Graduation Ceremony on 10 August 2026 at B Hotel, Quezon City, Ombudsman Remulla congratulated Class-01 SIGHARI or the “Serbisyong may Integridad, Gabay sa Hustisya, Abilidad at Responsableng Imbestigasyon”, the first batch to graduate from the course.

“The work you have trained for does not stay inside the classroom. It happens in the field. It happens where the facts are. It happens where public money is spent and where public trust is either upheld or betrayed,” Ombudsman Remulla told the graduates.

Sixty OMB employees from all over the country participated in the six-week course.

The graduates were trained in surveillance and casing, interviewing, crime-scene investigation, evidence handling, forensic disciplines, cybercrime, firearm proficiency, fact-finding, corruption offenses, procurement laws, fraud audit, lifestyle checks, money laundering, asset tracing, infrastructure analysis, rules of procedure, legal draftsmanship and even first aid.

OMB Remulla urged the graduates to use these competencies in strengthening investigations through evidence.

“Remember this: corruption does not always leave obvious fingerprints. Sometimes it hides behind paperwork. Sometimes it hides behind procedures. Sometimes it hides in plain sight. Your job is to find the truth. Not the convenient truth. Not the popular truth. But the truth supported by evidence,” OMB Remulla told the graduates.

OMB Remulla stressed the significance of investigative work to the Office’s accountability mandate, particularly in the ongoing investigations into infrastructure and flood control projects.

“These are complex cases involving billions of pesos in public funds. They require investigators who are meticulous, independent and guided only by the law. The same principles apply whether the case involves a high-ranking official or a local employee. The law does not recognize influence. The law recognizes facts,” OMB Remulla added.

Sandiganbayan Associate Justice Bayani Jacinto, who served as the guest of honor and speaker, also told the graduates to soldier on in investigations on what he described as “arguably, the biggest corruption scandal in our history”.

“Bear in mind that as corruption evolves, so too must those who combat it. Continue to sharpen your investigative skills. Embrace responsible innovation and emerging technologies. Remain lifelong students of the law and of the realities of public administration. Technical competence and ethical conviction must always go hand in hand,” Jacinto said.

Assistant Ombudsman Eliseo Cruz, Chairperson of the Technical Working Group for Field Investigation Training 2026, said the course was designed to develop not only technical knowledge but also the character and values required in public service.

“Let professionalism guide your conduct. Let confidentiality protect the integrity of your work. Let accountability shape every action. Let competence and proficiency make your investigations effective. And let public trust remain at the center of every case you handle,” Cruz said.

As the first group to complete the Field Investigation Course, Class-01 SIGHARI marks a significant milestone in the Office’s continuing effort to strengthen the capabilities of its employees involved in fact-finding and field investigation work.

Sixty five OMB investigators are set to undergo the Field Investigation Course in October. #

11/08/2026

PRESS RELEASE
11 AUGUST 2026

OMB REMULLA INSPECTS MANANGA RIVER FLOOD CONTROL PROJECT IN CEBU

CEBU, Philippines — Ombudsman Jesus Crispin C. Remulla on Monday, August 10, personally inspected the Mananga River Flood Control Project at Mananga Bridge 3 along the Cebu South Coastal Road (CSCR) in Barangay Lawaan II, Talisay City, as the Office of the Ombudsman continues its investigation into flood control and infrastructure projects in the Visayas.

Remulla conducted the site inspection together with investigators from the Office of the Ombudsman–Visayas Area Office, which he visited earlier in the day.

“We looked at the projects of flood control here in Cebu, and from our understanding for the past six years, ₱60 billion has been poured into Cebu. That should be a lot of money to control the flooding. But apparently, the past month, flooding happened again here in Cebu. So we have to look at what's happening,” OMB Remulla said in a press briefing before heading to the project site.

The inspection allowed the Ombudsman and investigators to personally examine the project site as part of the Office’s continuing scrutiny of government infrastructure projects for possible irregularities, corruption and conflicts of interest.

“Ito kasi binabaha talaga dito and many people have died in the floods here. These are all a combination of local government and DPWH and people not following the laws of the Republic of the Philippines. Marami yan. Barangays, mayors, congressmen, DPWH. We have to know. We have to find out more,” OMB Remulla said.

The Mananga River project is among the flood control and infrastructure projects being examined by Ombudsman investigators in the Visayas amid the Office’s intensified campaign against alleged anomalies in the use of public funds.

“It's really a question of a master plan being followed and the contract documents supposedly containing provisions that they have to follow the master plan. We have to study the contract documents first and foremost. Then we will look at the satellite readings of this place. So we know how the master plan was meant to be executed,” OMB Remulla said.

Ombudsman investigators have been conducting on-site inspections of flood control and other infrastructure projects under investigation, while scrutinizing contracts, project records and other relevant documents.

The field inspections are intended to verify actual project conditions against official records and gather evidence that may establish possible irregularities in the implementation and use of public funds.

The Cebu inspection forms part of the Ombudsman’s broader effort to strengthen field investigations and ensure that infrastructure-related cases are supported by documentary, testimonial and physical evidence before appropriate cases are filed. #

11/08/2026

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.” #

03/08/2026

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. #

31/07/2026

PRESS RELEASE
31 JULY 2026

OMB x PAOCC: Strengthening the Fight Against Organized Corruption Through Intelligence and Collaboration

As the nation continues its discussion on the integrity and effectiveness of flood control projects, the Office of the Ombudsman reaffirmed the importance of a proactive, intelligence-led approach to combating corruption during the Technical Working Group (TWG) Workshop on Comprehensive Consolidation of Data and Insights on Organized Crime in the Philippines with the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission held on 28–29 July 2026 in Pasay City.

In his presentation, OMB Spokesperson Assistant Ombudsman Jose Dominic F. Clavano IV emphasized that corruption in large-scale infrastructure is no longer solely a governance issue—it is a matter of public safety, disaster resilience, fiscal integrity, and national development.

AO Clavano noted that while allegations involving flood control projects continue to receive heightened public attention, these developments reinforce the need to detect corruption during project implementation, strengthen evidence-based investigations, and enhance inter-agency cooperation to hold accountable those responsible for the misuse of public funds.

“Accountability is the last line of defense. Prevention is the name of the game. We have to stop corruption before it even begins,” AO Clavano stressed.

The Office likewise underscored the importance of digital transformation, technical expertise, intelligence sharing, and active citizen participation in strengthening accountability and safeguarding public resources.

Through sustained collaboration with partner institutions, the Office of the Ombudsman remains committed to building a more preventive, intelligence-driven, and future-ready anti-corruption system that protects both public funds and the welfare of the Filipino people. #

30/07/2026

PRESS RELEASE
30 JULY 2026

OMB x UNODC: Strengthening the Fight Against Corruption Through Legal Reform

The Office of the Ombudsman, in partnership with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), convened a Joint Technical Writeshop on the corruption-related provisions of the proposed Philippine Code of Crimes on 28 July 2026 in Pasig City.

The activity brought together legal and technical experts to refine the joint position paper and technical comments that will support the ongoing recodification of the country’s criminal laws.

Grounded on the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC), the writeshop focused on strengthening legislative provisions on bribery, illicit enrichment, plunder, asset recovery, abuse of functions, and the liability of legal persons, among other key reforms.

Through rigorous technical discussions, participants worked toward harmonizing Philippine laws with international anti-corruption standards while ensuring that the proposed Code of Crimes responds effectively to emerging governance challenges.

The Office of the Ombudsman remains steadfast in advancing reforms that promote integrity, accountability, and the rule of law.

By working closely with national and international partners, the Office continues to support the development of a stronger and more coherent legal framework that reinforces public trust and contributes to a more transparent, responsive, and corruption-resistant Philippines. #

24/07/2026

PHOTO RELEASE

The Office of the Ombudsman and the Ombudsman Employees Association (OMBEA) formally signed the 2026-2029 Collective Negotiation Agreement (CNA) on July 21, 2026, reaffirming the shared commitment to fostering a workplace built on collaboration and mutual respect.

The Office of the Ombudsman welcomed the successful conclusion of the Collective Negotiation Agreement as a testament to the enduring partnership between Management and OMBEA.

“Our employees work in a demanding institution fighting corruption and holding power accountable. They deserve security, support, and real opportunities to grow,“ Assistant Ombudsman for Internal Affairs Luigi Bonoan said.

“This CNA reflects our commitment to their welfare and development because when our team feels valued and supported, they bring their best work to everything we do—and that directly translates to better service for the Filipino people,” AO Bonoan added.

The signing is a testament to the Office’s commitment to promoting the welfare and professional growth of its employees, recognizing that a motivated and supported workforce is essential to the effective discharge of its constitutional mandate of promoting accountability and combating corruption.

In a statement, OMBEA thanked Ombudsman Jesus Crispin C. Remulla and the Office’s Management Panel for their support, describing the agreement as a reflection of the shared commitment to advancing the welfare and well-being of employees while recognizing the interests of both the institution and its workforce.

The Association likewise reaffirmed the employees’ commitment to carry out their responsibilities with integrity, professionalism, and excellence, as they continue to support the Office of the Ombudsman’s mandate of combating corruption and building a better Philippines for everyone. #

22/07/2026

PRESS RELEASE
22 JULY 2026

OMB Remulla to legal interns: PH at a crossroads, youth must help shape culture of integrity

QUEZON CITY, Philippines — Declaring that the Philippines is at a defining moment in history, Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla called on the country’s next generation of lawyers to help steer the nation toward a culture of integrity.

Speaking at the graduation of the first batch of the Ombudsman’s Legal Internship Program, Ombudsman Remulla said today’s young Filipinos play a decisive role in answering one of the country’s most pressing questions: whether corruption can still be overcome.

“We are at the crossroads of finding our identities of Filipinos. Ito bang korapsyon na ito, maaayos ba natin ito? Magkakaroon ba tayo ng leksyon? Magbabago ba ang ating bansa? O ganito na lang ba pang habang panahon ang ating lupang hinirang?” OMB Remulla said.

OMB Remulla said the interns’ decision to spend part of their legal education inside the country’s constitutional anti-corruption body gives him hope that more young professionals are prepared to take part in nation-building.

“When we opened our doors here, it was because we know that it's going to be the young people who will actually matter in this fight against corruption,” OMB Remulla said.

“If we're able to recreate a culture or reinvent the culture of the Filipino professional and make them value the work that we do here, then we succeeded already,” he added.

Almost a year into the investigations of anomalous government projects, OMB Remulla stressed that the Office does not see itself as the country’s savior nor the messiah.

Rather, its role is to faithfully perform the mandate and keep corrupt actors at bay.

“Hindi tayo pwedeng mabalandra dahil may mga taong maiitim ang balak. It’s not that we want to become the saviors of this country but the fact that we do our job should be enough to make this country move forward,” OMB Remulla stressed.

OMB Remulla also added that every successful effort of the Office brings Filipinos closer to a society where corruption is unacceptable and should never be a norm.

“The ultimate victory, as I always said before, is that we will render ourselves obsolete na hindi na kailangan ang Ombudsman later on because the culture is very strong. When people know that it's not alright to be corrupt, di ba? Hindi siya alright, hindi siya okay. Hindi siya dapat tinotolerate, hindi siya tinutularan,” he said.

The Ombudsman also urged the graduates to carry the lessons they learned beyond the walls of the Office and continue contributing ideas that can strengthen the country’s fight against corruption.

Forty students from different law schools all over the country embarked on a three-week program into the OMB’s core activities like fact-finding and case build-up, criminal and administrative procedures, and prosecution of cases before the Sandiganbayan. #

Office of the Ombudsman Philippines

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