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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Stepping up anti-corruption drive: 60 OMB employees graduate from field investigation course

Stepping up anti-corruption drive: 60 OMB employees graduate from field investigation course

Published Aug 14, 2026 03:58 pm

At A Glance

  • The Office of the Ombudsman produced its first batch of Field Investigation Course graduates, composed of 60 employees from across the country.
  • The six-week course covered surveillance, crime-scene investigation, evidence handling, cybercrime, money laundering, asset tracing, and infrastructure analysis.
  • Ombudsman Remulla reminded the graduates that their duty is to uncover the truth supported by evidence, regardless of who is involved.
(OMB PHOTO)
(OMB PHOTO)
Sixty employees of the Office of the Ombudsman (OMB) from across the country have completed the Field Investigation Course (FIC), becoming its first batch of graduates.
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 on Aug. 10.
During the six-week course, 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.
(OMB PHOTO)
(OMB PHOTO)
In a video message, Ombudsman Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla called on the 60 graduates to apply what they learned to strengthen investigations through evidence.
“The work you have trained for does not stay inside the classroom. It happens in the field. It happens where the facts are. It happens where public money is spent and where public trust is either upheld or betrayed,” he said.
“Remember this: corruption does not always leave obvious fingerprints. Sometimes it hides behind paperwork. Sometimes it hides behind procedures. Sometimes it hides in plain sight. Your job is to find the truth. Not the convenient truth. Not the popular truth. But the truth supported by evidence.”
(OMB PHOTO)
(OMB PHOTO)
Remulla underscored the crucial role of investigative work in the OMB’s accountability mandate, particularly in its ongoing investigations into infrastructure and flood-control projects.
“These are complex cases involving billions of pesos in public funds. They require investigators who are meticulous, independent, and guided only by the law,” he said.
Remulla said the same principles apply whether a case involves a high-ranking official or a local employee.
“The law does not recognize influence. The law recognizes facts,” he stressed.

Related Tags

Office of the Ombudsman OMB Field Investigation Course FIC SIGHARI investigation training anti-corruption law enforcement Quezon City public accountability
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