LIVE: Office of the Ombudsman holds press briefing | August 28, 2026

The Office of the Ombudsman has recommended the filing of criminal and administrative complaints against former Surigao del Norte Representatives Francisco “Lalo” Matugas and Francisco “Bingo” Matugas II, as well as several Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) officials and personalities linked to Boometrix Development Corporation over alleged anomalies involving a multi-million Mahaytoan road project. In this media briefing, Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano lays down updates on other significant and active high-profile corruption probes. Clavano answers issues spanning from alleged multi-billion DPWH budget kickbacks and bribed witness recantations relating to former House Speaker Martin Romualdez, down to the status of a grand conspiracy probe regarding 2025 flood control funds triggered by Usec. Edward Bernardo's testimony as a state witness. Clavano additionally addressed questions connecting to past Palasyo officials like former Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla’s “epicenter” comment regarding Rep. Paolo "Pulong" Duterte's district, pending reviews of the confidential funds linked to OVP officials Lemuel Ortonio and Gina Acosta, Justice Moreno's inhibition from Sen. Bong Revilla's bail proceedings, and the suspicions raised over Sen. Loren Legarda’s repeated extended medical leave travels. Chapters: 00:00 - Press statement: Complaints recommended vs former Reps. Lalo and Bingo Matugas 02:04 - Ombudsman addresses conflict of interest in DPWH projects 04:03 - Probe into the massive 2025 flood control budget grand conspiracy 06:48 - Update on probes allegedly connected to officials linked to Malacañang 08:28 - Relying on Usec. Bernardo's statements against former ES Lucas Bersamin 09:43 - Clarifications regarding the Senate shooting obstruction of justice case 10:50 - How recanting witnesses affect the case against former House Speaker Martin Romualdez 14:36 - Questions arise over the ₱57 billion multi-billion kickbacks reported by PCIJ 16:04 - How investigators process truth despite over 32 witnesses reversing testimony 17:28 - Response to Rep. Pulong Duterte on Ombudsman Remulla’s Davao 'epicenter' statement 19:40 - Monitoring OVP's Gina Acosta & Lemuel Ortonio during confidential fund probe 20:37 - Motion of inhibition vs Justice Moreno for Senator Bong Revilla’s bail 21:41 - Expected date of case resolution from the panel investigating Martin Romualdez 22:57 - Repetitive extensions in Sen. Loren Legarda’s medical travel clearances flagged For more ABS-CBN News videos, click the link below:    • ABS-CBN News   For more Breaking News & Live Coverage videos, click the link below:    • Breaking News & Live Coverage   For more latest news and analysis from ABS-CBN News videos, click the link below:    • The latest news and analysis from ABS-CBN ...   For more News Digital News Raw Cuts, click the link below:    • News Digital Raw Cuts   Subscribe to the ABS-CBN News channel! - http://bit.ly/TheABSCBNNews Watch full episodes on iWant for FREE here: http://iwanttfc.com Visit our website at http://news.abs-cbn.com Facebook:   / abscbnnews   Twitter:   / abscbnnews   Instagram:   / abscbnnews   #Ombudsman #OmbudsmanBriefing #SurigaoDelNorte #DPWHTAMayAnomaly #PhilippinePolitics #CorruptionProbe #DavaoFloodControl #OVPConfidentialFunds #BoyingRemulla #PressBriefing #ABSCBNNews