Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla vowed to follow where the evidence leads in the probe into alleged corruption involving the distribution of “allocable” funds, after the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ) tagged individuals close to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
According to PCIJ, the President’s son, Ilocos Norte 1st District Rep. Sandro Marcos, and the President’s cousin, former House Speaker Martin Romualdez, received the highest shares of nearly P1.2 trillion in “allocable” funds from 2023 to 2025.
Specifically, Sandro Marcos was allotted P15.8 billion, while Romualdez received P14.4 billion over the three-year period.
“Allocables are the current form of pork barrel but with a difference: The total amounts are determined by the executive, rather than by the legislature, although lawmakers can decide how those amounts should be spent. Moreover, unlike the old pork, ‘allocables’ are itemized and decided on by Congress before the budget is enacted, not after,” PCIJ said in its report.
Remulla stressed that wherever the evidence points, his office will pursue the investigation and elevate the matter to the proper forum.
“Follow the evidence. Where the evidence leads us, we'll have to go. We won't choose [which direction to take]. Where the evidence leads us, we will go there. We will bring it to the proper forum,” Remulla said in a mix of English and Filipino during his ANC interview aired Monday.
Asked whether he would investigate the former House Speaker, Remulla said it is his duty to the Filipino people.
“I don't have a choice. It's a responsibility that I have to the Filipino people. And what else do I want to happen in my life if that's the case, right? I mean, my family is already affected, my children are affected. But they know that it's a job that I have to do," he said.
Remulla, formerly Justice Secretary, was appointed Ombudsman on 9 October, after applying for the position with a pledge to uphold accountability and transparency.
“I chose to be the Ombudsman. I applied for it, I had to go through a lot of things to become the Ombudsman. We will do what it takes,” he said.
The Ombudsman stressed that investigating the President’s relatives will not be personal, noting that leadership entails making difficult decisions.
He also said his office will begin looking into the PCIJ report.
“At the start it is just a hearsay, but if we will be given the supporting documents then we will validate the document, then we start investigating,” Remulla said in Filipino.