The Ombudsman has recently handled cases involving lawmakers and former government officials, as well as irregularities in flood control projects. He said the public would be watching whether the Ombudsman can secure convictions before the Sandiganbayan, where graft and corruption cases involving public officials are tried. The Ombudsman is mandated to investigate complaints against public officials and, when warranted, pursue criminal, civil or administrative cases before the appropriate court or agency. He said the number of cases under fact-finding investigation had since risen to 209, with four cases already filed before local courts. Mr. Coronacion said the number of investigations or officials suspended should not be the primary measure of the Ombudsman’s success.