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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Visayas devider Remulla hopes fight vs corruption would draw same support as Alex-mania

Remulla hopes fight vs corruption would draw same support as Alex-mania

Published Aug 10, 2026 07:27 pm
Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla answers questions from reporters during his visit to the Office of the Ombudsman for the Visayas in Cebu City on Monday, Aug. 10.(Photo by Calvin D. Cordova)
Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla answers questions from reporters during his visit to the Office of the Ombudsman for the Visayas in Cebu City on Monday, Aug. 10.(Photo by Calvin D. Cordova)

CEBU CITY–Filipinos are ready to rally behind many things for a worthy cause.

This was how Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla described the immense support that Filipina tennis sensation Alex Eala has been getting from Filipinos around the world.

And as the Office of the Ombudsman intensified its investigation into suspected anomalous flood control projects, Remulla said he was hoping that this effort gets the same solid support from Filipinos.

“You know, we all watch Alex Eala one way or the other. We all cheer for her silently as Filipinos. Everywhere she plays throughout the world, the Filipinos are there,”  Remulla’s keynote address during his visit to the Office of the Ombudsman-Area Office for the Visayas in Cebu City on Monday, August 9.

Remulla found it remarkable to watch Eala being wildly cheered on by her compatriots despite playing on foreign soil.

“Finally, the diaspora has a good effect. At least there are Filipinos who cheer for Filipinos when they are fighting it out abroad. Hopefully, that fever resonates in our own country, that Filipinos will cheer for fellow Filipinos who fight corruption,” Remulla said.

While hoping to get the same support from the Filipinos in the fight against corruption, Remulla admitted that “with what's happening here, there's not much to cheer about.

“Alex Eala is a shining example of what the Filipino is all about. We want to cheer for those who fight the fight.  And that phenomenon should be in our minds because deep inside, it shows the psyche of the Filipino, the love of country in every Filipino. I think that's not just phenomenal. It is something that is so dramatic throughout the world, seen by the world,” Remulla said.

Remulla’s take on Eala’s success came after he announced that the Office of the Ombudsman is looking into around P60-billion in flood-control projects that were implemented in Cebu over the past six years.

Remulla said the investigation will be conducted amid questions over the effectiveness and implementation of the projects.

Remulla said the flooding remains a big problem in Cebu despite substantial government investment.

A large portion of the funds went to Cebu’s 7th District while about a quarter was allocated to a leading contractor, Remulla said.

The possibility of ghost projects, duplicate project entries, substandard construction and non-compliance with contract specifications will be investigated, Remulla said.

To kick off the investigation, Remulla said lifestyle checks on district engineers of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and other personnel will be conducted.

Remulla said the agency would not rush the filing of cases without sufficient evidence.

Remulla said 20 lawyers may be added to the Ombudsman Visayas office for prosecution, fact-finding and preliminary investigations.

Remulla also called for legislation for greater transparency in government transactions, including the digital recording and public access of bidding processes from the barangay level to national government agencies.

“We have to return to decency,” Remulla said.

Related Tags

Ombudsman Remulla Alex Eala alex-mania
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