Ombudsman seeks hidden millions

The Philippine Office of the Ombudsman wants P1 million in hidden money to look into and prosecute allegations of corruption implicating public servants and officials.
For the Ombudsman in 2025, the Department of Budget and Management proposed P51 million in the National Expenditure Program.
Based on Ombudsman Samuel Martires, other law enforcement agencies needed the P51 million more than the Ombudsman needed.
He sought for P975 million to hire 62 attorneys saying the shortage of lawyers led to a delay in the review and filing of complaints against fraudulent government officials.
P3.1 billion has been allocated for personal services, P2 billion for maintenance and operation expenses, and P515 million for investment expenditures in the proposed budget.
Also, the Ombudsman called for P18 million to hire contract or temporary workers and P400 million to set up satellite offices for its modernization exertion.