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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Ombudsman Remulla assures 'fast probe' on COA Commissioner Lipana, wife on gov't projects

Ombudsman Remulla assures 'fast probe' on COA Commissioner Lipana, wife on gov't projects

Published Oct 20, 2025 05:46 pm
Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla assured that the motu proprio (on its own initiative) investigation of Commission on Audit (COA) Commissioner Mario G. Lipana and his wife, Marilou Laurio, will "run pretty fast."
The Lipana spouses became the subject of controversy after it was discovered that Olympus Mining and Builders Group Philippines, in which Lipana's wife is president and general manager, was awarded 22 contracts by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) involving P1.89 billion from 2023 to 2025.
It was also disclosed that the DPWH awarded a P959 million contract for the new COA building in Quezon City in 2021 to the joint venture of R.U. Aquino Construction and Development Corp. and Le Bron Construction. Le Bron Construction was reported to be the main joint venture partner of Olympus Mining.
Remulla said that they currently have "a rundown of files of the alleged activities of Lipana and his wife and their Olympus Mining Corp."
He also said that it's not just the DPWH contracts they are looking into, but also the supply of fire trucks, among other things.
He added that it is a "work in progress" and "we're still building up our teams that will evaluate it."
"It will run pretty fast when we get to it," Remulla assured.
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