Rappler's latest stories on Ombudsman
Zarate to Ombudsman: Fire Parlade for red-tagging
(UPDATED) The affidavit-complaint of Bayan Muna Representative Carlos Zarate also seeks the immediate preventive suspension of Southern Luzon military chief Major General Antonio Parlade Jr
Ombudsman probes Duque, DOH for alleged coronavirus anomalies
(4th UPDATE) Ombudsman Samuel Martires says his field investigators were 'given the runaround by some DOH officials'
[OPINION] If law is a bullet, in whose gun is it loaded?
'If we know how to vest power and authority to our public officials, we should also care to know how to take back that same power and authority from them'
Ombudsman clears Duty Free officials in plunder, graft cases
The resolution, approved by Ombudsman Samuel Martires on November 4, 2019 but released only recently, states the charges had 'no probable cause'
Bacoor reclamation plan questioned at Ombudsman
Bacoor City Mayor Lani Mercado Revilla says there are no activities yet and that the city's reclamation plan is still in the stage of securing permits
Ombudsman clears North Cotabato governor
The Ombudsman orders the deletion of Nancy Catamco's name from the graft case involving a 2004 fertilizer scam in Siquijor
Ibon Foundation files complaint vs 3 gov't officials over red-tagging
The policy research group wants the Ombudsman to punish 3 key officials, including Communications Undersecretary Lorraine Badoy, for 'malicious abuse of authority and negligent performance of duties as public officials'
Ombudsman sacks 3 BuCor officials over 'GCTA for sale' scheme
Ramoncito Roque, Maria Belinda Bansil, and Veronica Buño are perpetually disqualified from holding public office
Sandiganbayan starts 2020 with number of cases down 24%
For the entire 2019, the Sandiganbayan is able to dispose of 1,114 cases
COA orders 5 SEC officials to refund P92 million in illegal pay hikes
State auditors exempt from liabilities other SEC executives and employees, who were passive recipients of the salary increase
CHED’s Vitriolo again dismissed by Ombudsman
His dismissal stems from a 2016 case where former executive director Julito Vitriolo called for the resignation of then-chairperson Patricia Licuanan
Still withholding SALN, Martires says PCIJ violated wiretapping law
Ombudsman Samuel Martires says he has a duty to protect the interest of public officials. It's now a stalemate since Malacañang is passing the buck to him to release Duterte's Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth.
Ombudsman probes PHISGOC, Cayetano in possible SEA Games corruption
(UPDATED) Despite it being a private foundation, the Ombudsman says 'hindi puwedeng hindi kasama ang PHISGOC'
Veteran prosecutor is new Deputy Ombudsman for Luzon
Deputy Special Prosecutor Cornelio Somido has handled high-stakes cases such as the NBN-ZTE deal and the PCSO intelligence fund scam case against former president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo
Ombudsman dismisses last plunder complaint vs Arroyo
(UPDATED) The Office of the Ombudsman says it finds no probable cause to indict former president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo of plunder over the misuse of millions in intelligence funds of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office
Ex-port officials cleared as Martires reverses indictment in DMCI mining case
In another act of reversing his predecessor's past actions, Ombudsman Samuel Martires clears former port officials Juan Sta Ana and Raul Santos in a graft case
Pangasinan State University officials face probe for not posting bid award notices
The Commission on Audit recommends that the Ombudsman investigate school officials for not complying with the law when they purchased office supplies worth P2.144 million
Mother sues Calabarzon cops: 'Police murdered my 3-year-old girl'
The mother of Myca Ulpina says her daughter and her husband were sleeping when they were killed by cops
Businessman files cyber libel complaint vs CDC chief
Renato Mendiola Jr insists that he is a 'legitimate businessman' and not an 'influence peddler,' as insinuated by Clark Development Corporation in a notice to the public posted on its Facebook page
'Kung sino ang may pinag-aralan, 'yun pa ang nagko-corrupt'
The Office of the Ombudsman, tasked with recovering ill-gotten wealth from corrupt public officials, gives integrity awards to ordinary Filipinos who returned money they found while doing their jobs
Ombudsman withdraws charges vs PCG men in P67-M graft case
Ombudsman prosecutors decide to back out of the case after the Court of Appeals cleared some of the accused of administrative charges
Ombudsman Martires: Convicts can be rearrested without warrant
The Ombudsman agrees with the position of the Duterte government – contrary to various legal opinions that a rearrest must have a court order
Senate panel OKs COA, Ombudsman proposed 2020 budgets
Senator Imee Marcos says the 32% budget cut in the proposed 2020 budget of the Office of the Ombudsman is 'alarming'
Roxas to Martires: 'Unquestionably unfounded' to say IRR strayed from GCTA law
Ex-DILG secretary Mar Roxas reiterates that the IRR he had signed in 2014 'faithfully reflects' provisions of the GCTA law
Ombudsman clears 5 SBMA officials of charges filed by ex-SBMA chair Diño
In dismissing the case, the Ombudsman says the SBMA officials 'acted only in accordance with the law'
Duterte orders 'total revamp' of Bureau of Corrections
(UPDATED) President Rodrigo Duterte plans to replace all New Bilibid Prison guards with guards from provincial prisons, says Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo
CA allows Nueva Ecija Governor Umali to assume office
The Court of Appeals issues a TRO against a 2016 Ombudsman order to dismiss and perpetually bar Nueva Ecija Governor Aurelio Umali from holding public office
Batangas town mayor sued by own brother at Ombudsman
Talisay Vice Mayor Charlie Natanauan files grave misconduct and gross neglect complaints against his brother, Talisay Mayor Gerry Natanauan
Ombudsman’s GCTA probe covers ex-BuCor chiefs Faeldon, Dela Rosa
Deputy Minority Leader Carlos Zarate extracts the confirmation from the Office of the Ombudsman as it defended its proposed 2020 budget in the House plenary
Roxas to Ombudsman: 'Why target us when we only followed GCTA law?'
Former DILG chief Mar Roxas says he is ready to answer all questions that will be asked by Ombudsman Samuel Martires regarding the GCTA law's IRR, which Roxas had signed
Martires asks De Lima, Roxas why GCTA rules didn't exclude heinous crimes
The Ombudsman's letter has a tenor of agreement that the GCTA law excludes heinous crime – a legal contention that can reach the Supreme Court
Ombudsman suspends BuCor legal chief, 2 more execs in GCTA mess
Legal chief Fredric Santos is preventively suspended for 6 months, as well as Technical Superintendent Maria Fe Marquez who signed the release order for the convicts in the Chiong sisters murder case
Ombudsman suspends BuCor officials accused in 'GCTA for sale'
(3rd UPDATE) The highest officials on the suspended list are Senior Superintendents Celso Bravo and Melencio Faustino, both heads of the Directorate for Security and Operations
Martires to PACC: Hands off GCTA probe
PACC Commissioner Manny Luna wanted to exclude former Bureau of Corrections chief and now Senator Bato Dela Rosa from their probe, citing lack of authority to investigate a non-presidential appointee
Ombudsman junks administrative, criminal complaints vs Licuanan
The Office of the Ombudsman also junks the complaints against former CHED executive director Karol Mark Yee and CHED official Luisa Valencia
Acosta to Ombudsman: Junk outright 'overstocking' complaint
Acosta says there is not enough legal basis to preventively suspend her and her forensic chief Erwin Erfe
Ombudsman fires 7 Customs personnel, suspends 1
One of the sacked Bureau of Customs personnel is connected to a case of smuggled shabu worth P1.8 billion
Martires: Accusations vs Acosta will be 'judiciously scrutinized'
An earlier complaint against chief public attorney Persida Acosta is now undergoing preliminary investigation
Guevarra leaves PAO forensic lab probe to Ombudsman
Complainant Wilfredo Garrido Jr says President Rodrigo Duterte can always 'fire' PAO chief Persida Acosta if the Ombudsman cannot act on his request to place her under preventive suspension
Appointment of Guerrero aides to key Customs posts questioned
Customs Commissioner Rey Leonardo Guerrero and a few other Customs officials face graft and usurpation complaints before the Office of the Ombudsman
As others improve tech vs corruption, Martires focuses on values formation
'Noong araw, walang nanganganak na walang asawa; bihira 'yun. Walang nagsasama na walang kasal. Subalit dahil sa tolerance ng ating society, puwede na.... That is the values derived from society,' says Ombudsman Samuel Martires
After Duterte's SONA rant, Ombudsman probes Customs corruption
(UPDATED) Customs officials may face preventive suspensions as the investigation progresses, says Ombudsman Samuel Martires
Ombudsman Martires' wealth grows by P15 million in 2018
Ombudsman Samuel Martires releases only a summary of his SALN and not a full copy
Martires on dropping Noynoy charges: No president can be charged with usurpation
Can homicide charges be filed instead against the ex-president? The Ombudsman says he will 'entertain' a new complaint – if and when it is filed
Martires kicks out deputy ombudsman who probed Duterte
Ombudsman Samuel Martires implements the dismissal of Melchor Carandang, who looked into the alleged bank deposits of President Rodrigo Duterte and family in 2017
Martires delays releasing Duterte, Robredo SALNs
The 1987 Constitution and the Code of Conduct for Public Officials empower journalists to obtain and report on SALNs
There’s a crucial spot open at the Office of the Ombudsman
Two lawyers allied with the Duterte administration are applying for Deputy Ombudsman for Luzon: former justice undersecretary Erickson Balmes and PACC executive director Eduardo Bringas
Malacañang affirms firing of Deputy Ombudsman Carandang
(UPDATED) This again puts Ombudsman Martires on the spotlight – will he enforce the dismissal or stand firm that a Supreme Court ruling renders Carandang untouchable from Malacañang?
Ombudsman files fewer cases in anti-graft court in Q1 2019
The Office of the Ombudsman files 51 cases during the first 3 months of 2019 before the anti-graft court
Graft charges filed vs ex-Nueva Ecija congressman over pork barrel scam
The Office of the Ombudsman also files criminal charges against 3 Department of Agriculture officials and 4 others, including Janet Napoles
