Palace urges Ombudsman to take time with flood probe

The Philippine government has called on the Office of the Ombudsman to conduct a thorough and measured investigation into issues surrounding flood control operations, rather than accelerating the probe. Palace press officer Claire Castro delivered the message in a video statement on Monday, emphasizing the importance of allowing investigators sufficient time to build a solid case.

Castro cautioned that rushing investigations could result in insufficient evidence collection, potentially leading to the dismissal of charges. She underscored that the Ombudsman's office operates as an independent body with its own timeline and procedures that should be respected throughout the investigative process.

The statement comes as various sectors have called for accountability following flooding incidents that affected numerous areas. The Palace's position reflects concerns about maintaining the integrity of any legal proceedings that may stem from the Ombudsman's findings.

The Office of the Ombudsman has authority to investigate cases involving government officials and agencies suspected of administrative or criminal misconduct. Officials have not provided a specific timeline for when the investigation into the flood control situation is expected to conclude.