Ombudsman to probe Marcos relatives

Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla said Monday his office will follow the evidence wherever it may lead in the ongoing probe into alleged corruption tied to “allocable” budget funds.

The Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ) recently flagged personalities close to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., including his son, Rep. Sandro Marcos, and cousin, former House Speaker Martin Romualdez, as having received the largest share of nearly P1.2 trillion in allocable funds from 2023 to 2025. Sandro supposedly received P15.8 billion, while Romualdez got P14.4 billion.

“Follow the evidence. Where the evidence leads us, we’ll go. We’ll bring it to the proper forum,” Remulla told ANC in English and Filipino.

Asked if the investigation would include Romualdez, Remulla said it was his duty to the people to do so, adding that it was not personal.

“I don’t have a choice. It’s a responsibility I have to the Filipino people. My family knows it’s part of the job I chose,” he said.

Remulla, appointed Ombudsman on 9 October, emphasized that his office would first validate any documents before starting a formal investigation.

“At the start, it’s just hearsay. But if we get the supporting documents, we’ll validate them and start the investigation,” he said.

The Ombudsman, who formerly headed the Department of Justice, insisted that accountability and transparency would guide the office — even if the investigation involves the President’s relatives.