OMBUDSMAN: FULL RETURN OF STOLEN FUNDS REQUIRED FOR PLEA BARGAINS IN FLOOD CONTROL CASES

Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla announced that individuals accused in ghost and substandard flood control projects must fully return stolen public funds if they wish to enter plea bargains. Currently, five such cases are under preliminary investigation, and Remulla emphasized the need to speed up proceedings, aiming to shorten the usual one-year process. He stressed that delays in filing or dismissing cases must end, and no complaint should be allowed to stagnate. To prevent the Ombudsman’s office from being used as a political weapon, Remulla said cases must be built on a “reasonable certainty of conviction” rather than mere probable cause. He also vowed to uphold the rights of the accused by ensuring quicker trials and proper sentencing.