Manila, Sept. 3 -- The Office of the Ombudsman will assign an assistant ombudsman specifically for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) as part of efforts to strengthen its anti-corruption presence in an area that Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla said has long needed greater government attention.

Remulla disclosed the move Thursday during the Senate Committee on Finance hearing on the anti-graft body's proposed 2027 budget, saying the new assignment would help make the Ombudsman's work more inclusive and accessible in the region.

"We have decided to hire an assistant ombudsman for the BARMM," Remulla told the panel.

He said strengthening the agency's presence in the Bangsamoro Region is among the important steps ...