MANILA — Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla called on the public to keep watch over all branches of government, stressing that corruption is not limited to the executive or legislative branches but is also present in the judiciary.

“All of us, the entire country, I am asking you to help us with graft watches. Watch everybody in the executive, legislative, judiciary. Let us watch all of them, even (those in) the constitutional commissions,” Remulla said during his weekly radio program Executive Session on dzRH.

Remulla dismissed recent social media rumors claiming he had been rushed to the hospital, explaining that he was only late to the program due to a gym session.

During the discussion, he cited the acquittal of high-profile figures in major corruption scandals, including the P723-million fertilizer fund scam and the multibillion-peso Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) scam. He noted that the Sandiganbayan has cleared several accused individuals, such as former Agriculture Undersecretary Jocelyn “Joc-Joc” Bolante, Sen. Jinggoy Estrada, former Sen. Bong Revilla Jr., and the late former senator Juan Ponce Enrile.

“Corruption is rampant even in the judiciary. So, let us all watch the judges, the justices, let us closely watch all of them,” Remulla said. “The problem is that a judge can easily find a way to acquit.”

He acknowledged that some cases are dismissed due to prosecution delays and defense lobbying, but stressed the need for timely case management. “Prosecutors must complete the presentation of their cases within a year,” he said. “A lawyer who cannot set a hearing five to 10 times in one year, you change him, you replace him.”

To strengthen prosecution efforts, Remulla said the Office of the Ombudsman will hire 20 new lawyers by Jan. 15. He said the new prosecutors have extensive litigation experience and will attend hearings regularly.

Remulla also reaffirmed that more individuals, including current and former senators and congressmen, will face charges in connection with the ongoing flood control scam investigation.