LIVE: Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla holds press briefing | October 16, 2026

In an official press briefing, the Office of the Ombudsman provided comprehensive updates on high-profile public corruption investigations, newly filed cases before the Sandiganbayan, and ongoing preliminary inquiries involving national and local officials. The Ombudsman detailed newly lodged charges and inquiry updates concerning Pampanga Representative Aurelio "Dong" Gonzales, legislative proceedings regarding Representative Rodante Marcoleta, and preliminary investigations tied to construction firms linked to Representative Jojo Lara. Officials also addressed persistent challenges in securing accountability in the estimated ₱11-billion Pharmally inquiry, evaluated fund disbursement records concerning the Office of the Vice President (OVP) and the Department of Education (DepEd), and outlined institutional frameworks ensuring due process and impartiality in high-level investigations. Chapters: 00:00 – International legal cooperation and anti-corruption coordination with the United Arab Emirates 01:18 – Sandiganbayan filings and conflict-of-interest complaints against Rep. Aurelio "Dong" Gonzales 02:03 – Preliminary investigation updates on regional construction firms and public bidding audits 02:43 – Case tracking and accountability hurdles in the ₱11-billion Pharmally procurement investigation 03:40 – Evidentiary status and trial proceedings regarding inquiries involving Rep. Rodante Marcoleta 05:51 – Media Q&A: Prosecution timelines and investigative processes 07:15 – Financial exposure audits and aggregate public project fund valuations 10:11 – Forensic document examination of confidential fund disbursements and liquidation reports 13:35 – Ombudsman's official stance on investigative readiness regarding the Office of the Vice President 15:02 – Legal inquiries concerning administrative leaves and travel disclosures of Rep. Loren Legarda and Rep. Leandro Leviste 18:18 – Institutional policy on procedural fairness, non-partisanship, and equality under the law for high-ranking officials 20:20 – Case status updates on pandemic-era procurement and medical supply distribution funds 21:05 – Regulatory oversight protocols regarding newly reported infrastructure and flood control projects Subscribe to iWant to watch ANC live and on-demand: https://www.iwanttfc.com For more ANC Interviews, click the link below:    • ANC Interviews | ANC   For more The World Tonight videos, click the link below:    • The World Tonight   For more ANC Highlights videos, click the link below:    • ANC | Highlights   Subscribe to the ANC YouTube channel!    / ancalerts   Visit our website at https://news.abs-cbn.com/anc Facebook:   / ancalerts   Twitter:   / ancalerts   #OfficeOfTheOmbudsman #OmbudsmanPH #Sandiganbayan #ConfidentialFunds #PilitikaPH #AntiGraftAndCorruption #PHGovUpdate #PressBriefing #ANCLive #ANCNews #ANCAlerts