He has no intention of bringing a weak case against former House Speaker Martin Romualdez, Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla said Tuesday, especially someone with “so much money” and “so many lawyers.”

“We are there — there are just many things that need to be finished and gathered to build a strong case,” Remulla said during a Senate hearing on the Ombudsman’s proposed 2027 budget.

“We cannot file a weak case. He has so much money. So much money and so many lawyers,” he added.

The Ombudsman appeared at the Senate as lawmakers deliberated on his office’s proposed P7.2-billion budget for next year.

Later, pressed by reporters for an update, Remulla urged them to “relax,” saying the investigation was moving forward.

He also shrugged off what he described as efforts to muddy the waters, saying he would not be surprised if competing narratives were being pushed outside the investigation.

“I won’t be surprised. That’s the way things are done in this country,” he said.

Remulla likewise dismissed the recent recantations of several supposed bodyguards of former Ako Bicol Representative Zaldy Co as little more than courtroom smoke.

“That’s only a small part of the case, it’s nothing. Of course it’s being played up by their lawyers. You, the media, are being used,” he said.

The preliminary investigation of Romualdez, Co and other officials centers on allegations that they conspired to funnel P56 billion in infrastructure kickbacks into their own pockets. State investigators have recommended plunder, graft, bribery, and money laundering charges against them.

Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano earlier said the case would be submitted for resolution once both sides complete their submissions. Remulla, however, refused to put a date on when this will happen.

Meanwhile, the Senate Finance Committee, chaired by Senior Deputy Majority Leader JV Ejercito, approved the proposed P7.232-billion 2027 budget of the Office of the Ombudsman, down from the agency’s original P12.797-billion request.

The Ombudsman told lawmakers that 35 flood-control cases are already before the courts, 166 are under preliminary investigation and 107 lifestyle checks are ongoing.

Ejercito said investigations should be allowed to run their course and those found responsible for wrongdoing should be held accountable.

The Ombudsman also sought P148 million in confidential funds, nearly three times the P51.47 million recommended by the Department of Budget and Management.

Ejercito said the Senate may increase the allocation but gave no assurance that the full request would be restored.

The committee also backed a proposed P168-million Ombudsman Marshal Service with 100 positions to serve cyber warrants, secure evidence, enforce orders and protect investigators.

The proposed budget will proceed to plenary deliberations.