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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Ombudsman open to return of funds in flood control probe

Ombudsman open to return of funds in flood control probe

Published May 27, 2026 04:58 pm

At A Glance

  • Ombudsman Jesus Crispin "Boying" Remulla said the government is not abandoning court action, but stressed that legal options that could lead to recovery of public funds remain on the table.
Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla (Jel Santos/Manila Bulletin)
Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla (Jel Santos/Manila Bulletin)
Ombudsman Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla said the Office of the Ombudsman is open to the return of allegedly misused public funds in connection with alleged irregularities in flood control projects.
He said the government is not abandoning court action, but stressed that legal options that could lead to recovery of public funds remain on the table.
“‘Pag tinatanong ako sa makukulong, hindi ko gusto magpakulong ng tao. Kaya lang wala tayong choice minsan, di ba? Pero kung mayroong way out, gamitin natin ‘yung way out. Sinasabi ko ‘yan. ‘Yung restitution bukas pa ‘yan (When I am asked about people going to jail, I do not want to imprison anyone. But sometimes we have no choice, right? But if there is a way out, let’s use that way out. I am saying that. Restitution is still open),” he said.
He likened the possibility of returning funds to a situation where a stolen item is recovered before a case proceeds further.
“Ito lang, sa cell phone analogy, ‘pag ninakawan ka ng cell phone at tinawagan ka ng police, [sasabihin] sa ‘yo, o nahuli na namin ‘yung magnanakaw, hahanapin mo cell phone mo. Pagdating mo sa presinto, pag nakita mo na ‘yung telepono mo gusto mo na umuwi. Ayaw mo nang magdemanda. Ganun din naman tayong lahat eh. Tao lang tayo eh. (In the cell phone analogy, if your phone is stolen and the police tell you they’ve caught the thief and will recover it, once you see your phone at the station, you just want to go home. You no longer want to file a case. That is how people are),” Remulla said.
He added that discussions on restitution may proceed as long as terms are clear and non-negotiable.
“Basta 'yung pinag-uusapang halaga walang tawaran. Walang pinag-uusapang halaga rito. Hindi tayo magtatawaran dito. Isauli ‘yung dapat isauli. (The amount being discussed is non-negotiable. There is no bargaining here. Return what should be returned),” he said.
Remulla earlier said the Office of the Ombudsman is set to file plunder and malversation charges before the Sandiganbayan on Thursday, May 28, against Senator Jinggoy Estrada over the flood control mess.
He said a separate plunder case will also be filed against Senator Joel Villanueva.
READ MORE:
mb.com.ph/2026/05/26/hinog-na-hinog-na-ombudsman-eyes-filing-plunder-malversation-raps-vs-jinggoy-on-may-28
mb.com.ph/2026/05/26/isang-hinog-na-rin-ombudsman-says-plunder-case-vs-joel-villanueva-may-be-filed-within-2-weeks

Related Tags

OMBUDSMAN JESUS CRISPIN \"BOYING\" REMULLA FLOOD CONTROL SENATOR JINGGOY ESTRADA SENATOR JOEL VILLANUEVA
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