Palace appeals for patience: Let Ombudsman do its job in flood control probe

August 31, 2026

By ABOGADO.COM.PH Staff

The public should not be impatient and let the Office of the Ombudsman continue its probe of controversial flood control projects amid severe floods hitting different parts of the country, Malacañang said on Monday.

In a video statement, Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary and Palace press officer Claire Castro pointed out that the Ombudsman is an independent constitutional body with its own mandate.

“Nadidinig naman po natin ang mga report, mga salita, ang mga mensahe ni Ombudsman Boying Remulla, kung paano sila nagtatrabaho at paano nila inaaral ang mga naipasa na mga dokumento sa kanilang opisina,” she said.

Castro added: “Batid natin ang hirap na mag-aral ng gabundok na mga files, at random naman din natin na nais din nilang mapabilis lahat ang mga kasong ini-imbestigahan.”

However, it would be unwise if the Ombudsman rushes through with its probe, since it may lead to half-baked complaints getting dismissed because of lack of strong evidence.

“Mahirap madaliin ang kaso tapos hilaw. Sisihin sila kapag na-dismiss ang kaso dahil kulang sa ebidensya. So, hayaan po natin magtrabaho ang Ombudsman dahil alam po nila ang kanilang responsibilidad,” Castro said.