Ombudsman
House senior deputy minority leader and ML party-list Rep. Leila de Lima said the Commission on Elections should have referred Sen. Rodante Marcoleta’s statement of contributions and expenditures case to the National Bureau of Investigation and Office of the Ombudsman. She noted Comelec absolved him because the offense under Section 109 of the Omnibus Election Code was decriminalized by Republic Act 7166. Still, she said perjury and graft charges could apply.
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The National Financial Ombud Scheme (NFO) dismissed a homeowner's insurance claim for a collapsed boundary wall, attributing the damage to wear and tear rather than extreme weather. The case highlights policyholders' duty to maintain their properties despite disclosing pre-existing issues to insurers.
The City of Johannesburg's Office of the Ombudsman achieves strong performance metrics despite severe understaffing and overwhelming complaints from residents. Billing disputes and service failures dominate cases, pushing the office beyond capacity. While it resolves many issues for free, delays and unresolved matters erode public trust.
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The Independent Commission for Infrastructure submitted documents to the Office of the Ombudsman last week concerning former House Speaker Martin Romualdez's involvement in anomalous flood control projects. The referral, made on November 21, explicitly avoids any conclusion of guilt or liability. It aims to support the Ombudsman's investigation into potential violations without suggesting specific charges.
Starting November 15, the public, including media, can request copies of statements of assets, liabilities, and net worth (SALNs) of government officials held by the Office of the Ombudsman. This stems from Memorandum Circular 3 issued by Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla, restoring public access to these documents. The circular was published on October 31 and takes effect 15 days later.
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The Commission on Administrative Justice has suspended its CEO Mercy Wambua and two senior officials amid allegations of gross misconduct, incompetence, and insubordination. The move aims to ensure a fair disciplinary process, while investigative agencies will probe potential financial irregularities. This development follows internal reviews at the state office known as the Ombudsman.