The Office of the Ombudsman will investigate the conduct of certain public officials who handled the hit-and-run incident that claimed the life of 23-year-old businessman Kingston Ralph Cheng.

In a statement, the Ombudsman said that numerous reports were received to the effect that public officials who dealt with the fatal incident had made “possible procedural lapses.”

“The allegations raised do not pertain to the criminal liability of the private accused, which remains within the jurisdiction of the trial courts. Rather, the concerns relate to the conduct of certain public officers in the handling of the case,” the Ombudsman said.

Also, the Ombudsman said: “Among the issues repeatedly brought to the attention of this Office are: the reported delay in the administration of alcohol or chemical testing under the Anti-Drunk and Drugged Driving Act; the alleged failure to immediately implement mandatory sobriety protocols; questions surrounding evidence preservation and documentation at the scene; and perceptions of preferential treatment in post-arrest handling.”

If substantiated, the Ombudsman said that the allegations would result in administrative liability for neglect of duty, grave misconduct, or other violations of existing laws and regulations governing public officers.

The Ombudsman assured that the investigation will be fair and objective. “The main goal is to make sure that these unnecessary accidents are prevented. Yet, if accidents of this nature happen, they must be handled properly,” it said.

The suspect, Sean Andrew Parajillo, 21, hit Cheng on Feb. 8, 2026 around dawn at Barangay Banilad, Cebu City. He was charged with reckless imprudence and posted ₱72,000 bail.

Cheng’s family have reached out to the National Bureau of Investigation - Central Visayas (NBI-7) as they questioned the “impact of the lack of field sobriety tests, alcohol breath analyzer, and chemical and drug tests on the potential filing of the case.”

The family raised concerns after Parajillo tested negative for alcohol use after the incident.

It said that it took 18 hours before the suspect was tested, and because of the negative result, Parajillo was not charged with violation of Republic Act No. 10586, the Anti-Drunk and Drugged Driving Act, which imposes stiffer penalties.