Jamaine Punzalan

Office of the Ombudsman main building. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News/File

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Office of the Ombudsman

Kaxandra Salonga

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/177087456299620171108-office-ombudsman-main-MD-3.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Office of the Ombudsman main building. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News/File</span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — The Office of the Ombudsman has expedited the duration for fact-finding investigation and required a higher quantum of evidence to secure convictions under its newly released 2026 Revised Rules of Procedure.</p><p>The amended guidelines, signed by Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla, shortened fact-finding periods to 60 days for simple cases and 90 days for complex cases, from the previous six months to one year.</p><p>Extensions may be granted with written authority from the Ombudsman or a deputy ombudsman, and only for justifiable reasons stated in a progress report, according to Rule IV of Administrative Order No. 1.</p><p>It also states that preventive suspension of respondents, which is often imposed during preliminary investigation, shall not exceed six months.</p><p>Under the previous guidelines, preliminary investigations were prescribed to last no more than 12 months for simple cases and 24 months for complex cases.</p><p>The amended rules of procedure were issued amid the Ombudsman’s investigation into flood control anomalies. </p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/2/10/remulla-arrest-joke-vs-senators-implicated-in-flood-control-scandal-carries-truth-1748">Remulla: Arrest ‘joke’ vs senators implicated in flood control scandal carries truth</a></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>HIGHER QUANTUM OF EVIDENCE</strong></div><div><br/></div><p>A provision of the AO also states that, before filing criminal information in court, there should be prima facie evidence that establishes all the elements of a crime or offense charged and warrants a conviction beyond reasonable doubt. </p><p>Remulla earlier said the measure intends to increase the chances of conviction for the respondent. </p><p>“The quantum of evidence is met when the prosecutor is convinced that the entirety of evidence presented by the parties is (a) admissible, (b) credible, and (c) capable of being preserved and presented to establish all the elements of the crime or offense, as well as the identity of the person or persons responsible therefore. Reasonable certainty of conviction also include a summary evaluation of the evidence presented by the respondents through their counter-affidavit,” the administrative order read.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>GROUNDS AND PENALTIES FOR CONTEMPT</strong></div><div><strong> </strong></div><p>The Ombudsman also prescribed penalties for public officials under its jurisdiction who commit direct or indirect contempt.</p><p>Under Section 2 of Rule 10, a person may be cited for direct contempt for committing any of the following acts:</p><ul><li>Misbehavior or conduct that tends to obstruct, interrupt, or disrupt the orderly conduct of the proceedings</li><li>Disrespectful or offensive behavior towards the Ombudsman, duly authorized official, or other persons present at the proceedings that undermines the authority or dignity of the Ombudsman</li><li>Unjustifiable refusal to be sworn or to answer a question propounded, after being duly required to do so</li></ul><div><br/></div><p>Direct contempt may be punished with a fine of up to P2,000, a suspension of up to 10 days for public officers or employees under the Ombudsman’s jurisdiction, or both.</p><p>Meanwhile, a person may face penalties for indirect contempt if found guilty of any of the following acts.</p><ul><li>Disobedience of or resistance to a lawful writ, process, decision, resolution, or directive of the Office of the Ombudsman</li><li>Abuse of or any unlawful interference with the Ombudsman’s processes or proceedings that do not fall under direct contempt</li><li>Any improper conduct tending to impede, obstruct, or degrade the administration of justice</li><li>Failure to obey a subpoena duly served</li></ul><div><br/></div><p>They may face sanctions of up to P30,000 and suspension from office ranging from one month to six months, or both.</p><div><br style="caret-color:rgb(0, 0, 0);color:rgb(0, 0, 0)"/></div><div><iframe width="725" height="408" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/g8ll54b_s0s" title="Big fish sa flood control scam sunod na kakasuhan ng Ombudsman - Dizon | DZMM Teleradyo" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>

<p>The Office of the Ombudsman has expedited the duration for fact-finding investigation and required a higher quantum of evidence to secure convictions under its newly released 2026 Revised Rules of Procedure.</p>

The Office of the Ombudsman has expedited the duration for fact-finding investigation and required a higher quantum of evidence to secure convictions under its newly released 2026 Revised Rules of Procedure.

Ombudsman amends rules to require higher level of evidence, expedite fact-finding

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Ombudsman amends rules to require higher level of evidence, expedite fact-finding

Kaxandra Salonga,

ABS-CBN News

Published Feb 12, 2026 01:46 PM PHT

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amended rules

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