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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Sandiganbayan justice urges OMB investigators to soldier on amid 'biggest corruption scandal in our history'

Sandiganbayan justice urges OMB investigators to soldier on amid 'biggest corruption scandal in our history'

Published Aug 14, 2026 04:41 pm

At A Glance

  • * Sandiganbayan Associate Justice Jacinto called on the Ombudsman's first batch of trained field investigators to remain persistent in combating evolving forms of corruption.
  • * The 60 graduates underwent six weeks of training in fact-finding, crime-scene investigation, evidence handling, fraud auditing, lifestyle checks, and other investigative disciplines.
  • * Jacinto stressed that technical competence must always be accompanied by ethical conviction, while Assistant Ombudsman Eliseo Cruz reminded investigators to protect public trust.
(OMB PHOTO)
(OMB PHOTO)
Sandiganbayan Associate Justice Bayani Jacinto urged the Office of the Ombudsman’s (OMB) newly trained field investigators to soldier on as they probe what he described as “arguably, the biggest corruption scandal in our history.”
He made the appeal during the graduation ceremony for the OMB’s first batch of Field Investigation Course (FIC) graduates, where he served as guest of honor and speaker.
A total of 60 OMB employees from across the country completed the six-week course.
“Bear in mind that as corruption evolves, so too must those who combat it. Continue to sharpen your investigative skills. Embrace responsible innovation and emerging technologies,” Jacinto said as quoted by the OMB in its press release.
He said the graduates must remain lifelong students of the law and the realities of public administration.
“Technical competence and ethical conviction must always go hand in hand,” he added.
Meantime, Assistant Ombudsman Eliseo Cruz, chairperson of the Technical Working Group for Field Investigation Training 2026, said the course was designed to develop not only the participants’ technical knowledge but also the character and values required in public service.
“Let professionalism guide your conduct. Let confidentiality protect the integrity of your work. Let accountability shape every action,” he said.
“Let competence and proficiency make your investigations effective. And let public trust remain at the center of every case you handle,” he went on.
(OMB PHOTO)
(OMB PHOTO)
On Aug. 10, the graduation ceremony for FIC Class-01 SIGHARI, or “Serbisyong may Integridad, Gabay sa Hustisya, Abilidad at Responsableng Imbestigasyon,” was held at the B Hotel in Quezon City.
The participants underwent training in surveillance and casing, interviewing, crime-scene investigation, evidence handling, forensic disciplines, cybercrime investigation, firearm proficiency, and fact-finding.
They also studied corruption offenses, procurement laws, fraud auditing, lifestyle checks, money laundering, asset tracing, infrastructure analysis, rules of procedure, legal draftsmanship, and first aid.
The OMB said another 65 investigators are set to undergo the course in October.

Related Tags

Sandiganbayan Office of the Ombudsman Bayani Jacinto Eliseo Cruz field investigators corruption graft and corruption crime scene investigation fraud auditing public accountability
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