Manila: Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla on Friday defended before the Senate the proposed PHP6.39 billion budget of the Office of the Ombudsman for 2026, citing major reforms to speed up the handling of corruption and flood control-related cases. During the budget hearing, Senator Sherwin Gatchalian asked the newly appointed Ombudsman about his plans to address issues in the ongoing investigations into flood control projects.

According to Philippines News Agency, Remulla stated his office is restructuring the entire process-from case filing to resolution-to ensure quicker and more efficient investigations. He explained that the system of handling cases is being reformed from filing until they reach the Sandiganbayan or Regional Trial Court. He added that deadlines are being tightened, reducing the preliminary investigation period from six months to one year down to 60 days, a strategy previously implemented at the DOJ.

Remulla also instructed investigators to bypass redundant stages once documentary evidence is sufficient for filing, emphasizing the urgency in anti-corruption efforts. He acknowledged the public's frustration and expressed a commitment to addressing what he described as a crisis of gigantic proportions.

Senator Gatchalian pressed for tangible results within a shorter timeframe, pointing out that previous statements indicated it could take two to three years to file a case. Remulla assured that such delays would no longer occur, promising a more expedited process.

The proposed budget under the National Expenditure Program marks an increase of PHP518 million or 8.83 percent from the 2025 allocation of PHP5.87 billion.