Metro Manila, Philippines – Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla on Thursday, Sept. 3, defended the ₱51.468 million confidential fund proposed for his office next year, saying it would support “more aggressive” investigations.
During a Senate finance committee hearing, chairman JV Ejercito relayed a media query on why the ombudsman needs such an amount when Remulla’s predecessor, Samuel Martires, had a confidential fund of only ₱1 million in 2024 and 2025.
“I think we’re more aggressive in pursuing investigations, your honor, and purchasing information and other things needed that require confidential funds to be utilized,” Remulla replied.
Senators expressed support for the ombudsman confidential fund, with Senate President Pro Tempore Tito Sotto calling the amount “a drop in the bucket” considering the agency’s mandate as graft buster.
“As a matter of fact, there was one office, one office of government that had ₱125 million five times, for confidential funds,” Sotto commented.
He did not name the office, but the ₱125 million has been associated with Vice President Sara Duterte, who is facing an impeachment trial over alleged misuse of confidential funds.
Duterte’s office received ₱125 million in confidential funds in December 2022, which were allegedly spent in 11 days. The same amount was also allocated to her office in various quarters in 2023.
Senate President Win Gatchalian said the ombudsman’s proposed confidential fund was “miniscule” and justified in strengthening corruption cases.
“Admittedly, kailangan talaga ng mga itong legitimate purchase of information para ma-establish yung evidence, lalong lumakas yung kaso, at makasuhan natin at manalo tayo sa pagkaso,” Gatchalian stressed.
[Translation: There is a need for legitimate purchase of information to establish the evidence, to strengthen the case, file charges, and to win the case.]
Ejercito maintained that the finance committee would confine the use of confidential funds to law enforcement agencies, investigative agencies, and offices involved in national security.
“And of course the Office of the Ombudsman, in its drive against corruption, will be one of them. And I think 54 million will be very much justified. Mababa na nga ‘yan,” he said.
The ombudsman initially sought ₱148 million in confidential funds for next year, but the Department of Budget and Management slashed the amount in the National Expenditure Program submitted to the president.
Overall, the DBM cut the ombudsman’s original ₱12.7-billion budget proposal to less than half, or ₱5.5 billion.
Remulla said the confidential fund is among the items his office hopes will be at least partially restored.
Ejercito said senators may consider augmenting the amount during plenary debates.
