By Mark Joseph M. Sanchez
THE Office of the Ombudsman’s pursuit of several high-profile corruption cases has placed the country’s anti-graft watchdog under renewed scrutiny, with analysts saying its long-term credibility depends on whether investigations result in convictions and broader institutional reforms.
The Ombudsman has recently handled cases involving lawmakers and former government officials, as well as irregularities in flood control projects.
Dennis C. Coronacion, chairman of the University of Santo Tomas Department of Political Science, described the developments as “a highly assertive and unprecedented operational shift” by the agency but said its effectiveness would ultimately be tested in court.
“The real victory will be determined in court,” Mr. Coronacion said via Facebook Messenger.
He said the public would be watching whether the Ombudsman can secure convictions before the Sandiganbayan, where graft and corruption cases involving public officials are tried.
The Ombudsman is mandated to investigate complaints against public officials and, when warranted, pursue criminal, civil or administrative cases before the appropriate court or agency.
Ombudsman Jesus Crispin “Boying” C. Remulla earlier said the agency received 124 complaints related to flood control projects in 2025, 36 of which were elevated to fact-finding investigations. He said the number of cases under fact-finding investigation had since risen to 209, with four cases already filed before local courts.
The Ombudsman also filed plunder and graft charges before the Sandiganbayan against Senator Jose “Jinggoy” P. Ejercito Estrada, Jr. and former Public Works Secretary Manuel M. Bonoan over irregularities in flood control projects. Prosecutors alleged illicit payouts totaling P573 million.
Mr. Coronacion said the number of investigations or officials suspended should not be the primary measure of the Ombudsman’s success.
“The public should not measure the Ombudsman’s success by the number of officials it suspends or investigates, but by the number of corrupt officials it actually convicts,” he said.
He said the agency must build cases strong enough to withstand judicial scrutiny rather than focus on generating attention at the investigation stage.
“A genuine institutional shift is not about making noise at the starting line of an investigation,” he said. “It is about building airtight cases and presenting the evidence well enough to secure convictions.”
Mr. Coronacion cited the Sandiganbayan’s recent decision allowing former Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla, Jr. to post bail in a malversation case involving an alleged P92.8-million “ghost” flood control project as an example of the challenges prosecutors face in pursuing high-profile corruption cases.
The case, he said, underscores the need for the Ombudsman to ensure that its investigations are supported by sufficient evidence and could withstand legal challenges.