The Office of the Ombudsman issued a stern denunciation on Sunday regarding the unauthorized online disclosure of its investigators’ identities, labeling the move as a calculated effort to harass staff and compromise their security.
In an official statement, the anti-graft body expressed grave concern over the breach, stating:
“The Office of the Ombudsman strongly condemns the malicious online disclosure of our investigators’ identities. This unauthorized leak is a blatant attempt to intimidate public servants and directly jeopardizes their personal safety.”
To address the security breach, the agency is currently collaborating with the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) Anti-Cybercrime Group.
Authorities warned that those behind the leak could face prosecution under the Cybercrime Prevention Act and the Data Privacy Act.
Beyond the security issue, the Ombudsman clarified the status of ongoing cases involving high-ranking officials. Addressing public observation regarding the timing of certain filings, the office explained that these actions are part of a deliberate, phased legal approach.
“Regarding the recent filings involving high-ranking officials, the public is advised that these actions are part of a deliberate tactical sequence,” the agency noted.
The Ombudsman further clarified that the progression of cases depends on their maturity within the internal system.
“This specific complaint reached the courts first due to its position in our investigative pipeline, but it is merely a preliminary component of a broader, multi-stage legal strategy,” the statement clarified.
According to the office, these initial legal steps aim to safeguard state interests, specifically to prevent respondents from fleeing the country or hiding assets while supplementary cases are being built.
The agency also reminded the public that the burden of defense lies with the accused, asserting that the proper forum for contesting evidence is the preliminary investigation stage.
“It is not the duty of this Office to ‘lawyer’ for the respondents. If the respondents wish to challenge the credibility of witnesses or the veracity of the affidavits, the proper venue to do so is during the Preliminary Investigation,” the Ombudsman concluded.