The Office of the Ombudsman and the Justice Sector Coordinating Council (JSCC) signed an agreement to address delays in corruption-related cases through stronger inter-agency coordination and information sharing.
Under a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed on October 26, 2026, the institutions committed to joint consultations, policy development, secure information sharing, and capacity-building activities.
The partnership involves the Office of the Ombudsman and the JSCC’s three constituent institutions: the SC, Department of Justice (DOJ), and Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).
According to the Ombudsman, the partnership seeks to improve coordination among institutions responsible for investigating, prosecuting, and adjudicating corruption cases, as well as enforcing relevant laws and decisions.
Under the agreement, the institutions will develop protocols for the secure and lawful exchange of relevant information, conduct policy dialogues and technical discussions, and organize joint training and capacity-building programs.
The Office of the Ombudsman identified financial crimes, asset recovery, cyber-enabled corruption, and digital forensics as potential areas for joint initiatives.
Ombudsman Jesus Crispin C. Remulla called for concrete programs to prevent corruption, address institutional weaknesses, and improve the delivery of justice.
“We must translate this agreement into concrete programs, clear responsibilities, realistic timelines and measurable results,” Remulla said.
Meanwhile, both parties stressed that the partnership would not compromise the independence or respective mandates of the participating institutions.
“Institutional independence and meaningful cooperation are not contradictory. They reinforce each other,” Remulla said.
Established in 2010, the JSCC serves as a forum for cooperation among the country’s principal justice sector institutions on reforms and systemic challenges affecting the administration of justice.
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