Nelson Morales

Ombudsman says lifestyle checks underway on more than 100 officials

The House Committee on Justice resumes its formal deliberations on the impeachment complaints against Vice President Sara Duterte at the Batasan Pambansa in Quezon City on April 22, 2026. This session followed the committee’s April 14 hearing, where the Vice President was also notably absent. 

Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla attends the formal deliberations on the impeachment complaints against Vice President Sara Duterte at the Batasan Pambansa in Quezon City on April 22, 2026. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

VP Sara Duterte Impeachment

Agatha Gregorio

ABS-CBN News

<p>MANILA — The Office of the Ombudsman is conducting 107 lifestyle checks after the president’s order for the independent consitutional body to do so amid issues on flood control projects, according to Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla.</p><p>Remulla said more people may be subject to the checks &quot;because we have been actively pursuing information on the people in Customs, in [the Land Transportation Office], and other income-generating agencies... including the [Bureau of Internal Revenue].&quot;</p><p>The previous ombudsman, Samuel Martires, stopped the practice of lifestyle checks, saying in 2020 that he found the requirement for government officials and employees to live modest lives subjective.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/8/25/ombudsman-calls-davao-epicenter-of-flood-control-before-marcos-administration-1948"><strong>Ombudsman calls Davao &#x27;epicenter&#x27; of flood control before Marcos administration<br/></strong></a></div><p>Remulla said his office is also flagging issues with a <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/8/16/remulla-hits-dpwh-project-quality-and-pushes-for-ppps-dizon-agrees-1625">Bureau of Immigration building project</a> that has been under construction for 12 years and has already cost P8 billion.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>OVER P7B RECOMMENDED BUDGET</strong></div><p>The Office of the Ombudsman said the Department of Budget and Management has recommended a budget of over P7 billion for it in 2027.</p><p>The agency has requested additional funding of more than P6.853 billion, the bulk of which would be for the purchase of a new office building.</p><p>For Remulla, the most important aspect of this request is funding requirements for the creation of the Ombudsman Marshal — a proposal supported by Manila 3rd District Rep, Joel Chua.</p><p>Chua said he sees the urgent need for the Ombudsman to have its own marshals &quot;for enforcement and security functions, including serving subpoenas and other official processes.&quot; </p><div><br/></div><div><strong>CONFIDENTIAL FUNDS</strong></div><p>The Office of the Ombudsman also asked for more than P148 million in additional confidential funds.</p><p>Later during the hearing, Akbayan Party-List Rep. Chel Diokno noted that the recommended confidential fund budget for the office is around P55 million.</p><p>&quot;But sa palagay ko, kayo ang nangangailangan ng mas malaking confidential funds kaysa ‘yung mga ibang mga ahensiya na tinututukan natin doon sa kaso ng impeachment,&quot; Diokno, a prosecutor in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, said.</p><p>(But in my view, your office needs more confidential funds than the agencies we are focused on in the impeachment case.)</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/8/25/lachica-says-prepared-to-tell-truth-on-confidential-funds-1717"><strong>Lachica says ‘prepared to tell truth’ on confidential funds<br/></strong></a></div><p>Diokno also asked if the Ombudsman is &quot;[monitoring] impeachment proceedings in case there are any investigations or prosecutions that should come after.&quot; </p><p>Remulla said the office has a unit actively monitoring the trial.</p>

<p>The Office of the Ombudsman is conducting 107 lifestyle checks after the president’s order for them to do so amid issues on flood control, according to Remulla.</p>

The Office of the Ombudsman is conducting 107 lifestyle checks after the president’s order for them to do so amid issues on flood control, according to Remulla.