MANILA, Philippines -- (UPDATE) Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez has created a panel to investigate all the complaints related to the allegedly tainted national broadband network (NBBN) contract.

Gutierrez said Monday the panel will hold a public hearing next week to ensure transparency in the investigation into the seven complaints filed in connection with the $329-million contract, which was scrapped over allegations of corruption.

The panel is headed by Overall Deputy Ombudsman Orlando Casimiro. It members include Deputy Ombudsman Emilio Gonzales, Deputy Special Prosecutor Robert Kallos, Assistant Ombudsman Rodolfo Elman, and Director Cesar Asuncion of the Assistance Investigation Bureau.

"The public has the right to know what is happening [with] these cases. We want to observe transparency and remove doubts on the way we conduct our investigation," Gutierrez said.

Gutierrez said she has already requested the Senate blue ribbon committee to provide them a transcript of the stenographic notes of its inquiry into the NBN deal.

"If a need arises, we will invite Mr. [Senate witness Rodolfo Noel] Lozada [Jr.] to attend the public hearing," she said.

She also gave assurances that the Office of the Ombudsman's investigation would not conflict with the Senate inquiry into the controversial deal and yet another investigation being conducted by the Department of Justice (DoJ).

"We have the primary jurisdiction over this case. The Senate's investigation is in aid of legislation. If they have a recommendation about people that should be prosecuted, it will be forwarded to us," she explained.

"The same goes with the DoJ. They are deputized by the Ombudsman to conduct investigations and their action is only recommendatory," Gutierrez added.

The Preliminary Adjudication and Monitoring Office (PAMO) has already come up with its recommendation on the first two complaints related to the NBN deal -- a complaint filed by the National Bureau of Investigation against Emmanuel Nino Wee Ang, commercial attaché of the Philippine consulate in Guangzhou, Guangdong, China, and another complaint filed by Nueva Vizcaya Representative Carlos Padilla against Transportation Secretary Leandro Mendoza.

However, Gutierrez said they have held the release of the recommendation pending the investigation into other related complaints since these all involve involves the same facts.

"We will expedite our investigation and we will do it before the public scrutiny. We want to make sure that if cases will be filed, it will pass the scrutiny of the justices," Gutierrez said.