HOUSE Deputy Minority Leader and Mamamayang Liberal (ML) Partylist Rep. Leila M. de Lima on Tuesday called on the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) and President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos to expedite the selection of the next Ombudsman, which has remained pending since former Ombudsman Samuel Martires retired on July 27, 2025.
De Lima made the statement after the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) recommended to the Ombudsman the filing of criminal and administrative charges against former Ako Bicol Partylist Rep. Zaldy Co and 17 others over P290-M flood control project in Oriental Mindoro.
“In light of massive issues of corruption our country faces today, there is an urgent need for the appointment of the regular Ombudsman, as the agency will certainly receive many complaints and recommendations from the ICI,” De Lima said.
“Sa lawak ng sabwatan at sa dami ng sangkot na mga mambabatas at opisyal ng gobyerno sa maanomalyang flood control projects, kailangan na ng isang regular na Ombudsman na tunay nang makakatutok at tutugon sa mga reklamong lalapag sa kanilang tanggapan,” she added.
During the House plenary deliberations on the proposed 2026 budget of the Office of the Ombudsman on September 24, De Lima stressed the need for the agency to act promptly, be more transparent, and be more receptive to complaints of graft and corruption.
“As the ICI investigation progresses, it is expected to recommend additional complaints to the Office of the Ombudsman. With other corruption cases, this will certainly keep their office busy—underscoring the urgent need for an Ombudsman to lead the process,” the Bicolana lawmaker reiterated.
The lady solon also pressed the Office of the Ombudsman to address the unnecessary and unfortunate dismissal of cases due to inordinate delays in fulfilling its mandate under the Constitution.
“As the country’s Tanodbayan, the Ombudsman should champion the government’s anti-corruption efforts. It must be swift, serious, and fair in filing solid cases against erring public officials who plunder the nation’s wealth,” De Lima said.
“Hindi na dapat tinetengga nang matagal ang pagtatalaga ng bagong Ombudsman para tuloy-tuloy nang makausad ang mga kaso, mapanagot ang dapat mapanagot at makamit ng taumbayan ang hustisya,” she added.
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