Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla has urged Filipinos to stand up for their rights and report abuses of authority, emphasizing that public participation is essential in holding government officials accountable and strengthening public institutions.
Speaking before business leaders and industry representatives during a town hall meeting at the Casino Español de Cebu in Cebu City on October 22, Remulla stressed that fighting corruption and abuse of power requires cooperation between the government and the public.
“We try to make accountability something felt by the people who matter, and the people who matter is the Filipino people. Tayong mga Pilipino, dapat kaya nating isaayos ang bayan natin at kaya nating lumaban para sa ating mga karapatan. We have to fight for our rights,” Remulla said.
He emphasized that citizens should not tolerate misconduct by public officials, warning that accepting the misuse of authority would only allow problems in government to persist.
“If we accede to the antics of many people in government who have a wrong idea of how to exercise power and responsibility, then things will never improve,” he said.
Remulla encouraged Filipinos to openly share their experiences and report irregularities encountered in government offices, noting that public complaints help authorities identify abuses and weaknesses in government services.
“We have to fight back by being open or by openly communicating to us what is happening on the ground,” he added.
The Ombudsman also underscored the importance of ensuring that citizens have access to institutions capable of addressing complaints against public officials.
Drawing from his decades of experience in public service, Remulla acknowledged witnessing instances in which government officials allegedly misused their authority at the expense of ordinary citizens.
“I could see people enjoying power too much, enjoying it too much or exercising it with abuse, committing abuse of authority,” he recalled.
He stressed that the Office of the Ombudsman’s responsibilities extend beyond investigating and prosecuting erring officials.
According to Remulla, the agency must also help identify and address government practices that allow misconduct to continue, while promoting reforms that improve public service delivery.
“It’s really making government work better,” he said.
The Office of the Ombudsman is constitutionally mandated to investigate complaints against public officials and employees, promote accountability, and address misconduct in government.
Remulla reiterated his commitment to working with the Filipino people in pursuing accountability, encouraging citizens to remain vigilant and report abuses to help build a more responsive and transparent government.
