Four major Philippine business organizations have welcomed Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla’s decision to publicize the alleged reversal of a 2016 ruling involving former lawmaker Joel Villanueva, calling it a critical step toward restoring transparency and accountability in the country’s justice system.
In a joint statement, the Justice Reform Initiative (JRI), the Financial Executives Institute of the Philippines (FINEX), the Makati Business Club (MBC) and the Management Association of the Philippines (MAP) commended Ombudsman Remulla for revealing the purported secret order issued under former Ombudsman Samuel Martires.
The order allegedly overturned earlier findings against Villanueva on the misuse of Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) allocations.
The groups stressed that full public disclosure of matters involving public interest is required by the Constitution, a duty that extends to the Office of the Ombudsman. They warned that secrecy undermines confidence in the justice system and “sends a dangerous signal that decisions affecting public accountability may be quietly undone, and the people can be kept in the dark.”
The business organizations warned that withholding information on the reversal deprived the public of legal remedies and prevented beneficiaries of the PDAF from recovering allegedly misused funds. They added that transparency is a constitutional requirement under Article II, Section 28 and Article III, Section seven.
The groups urged the Ombudsman to proceed with the investigation and prosecution of officials found liable, noting that jurisprudence gives the office authority to revisit rulings “where justice may have been compromised.” They also pushed for reforms to institutionalize openness, including the creation of a technology-enabled public registry of Ombudsman decisions to prevent similar undisclosed resolutions.
“The Ombudsman, by standing by its sworn duty, can stop the impunity of corruption, be a champion of justice, and deliver on the promise of a government for the people,” the groups said.
