Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla assured that the Office of the Ombudsman will not be used as a weapon against political rivals and critics of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
‘When I became DOJ [Department of Justice] secretary, the first thing I removed was the weaponization of the law. It will not be weaponized. I will assure everyone,’ Remulla, speaking in Filipino, told reporters after his appointment as the new Ombudsman was announced.
Remulla’s nomination as Ombudsman was met with opposition after criminal and disbarment cases were filed against him due to his involvement in the arrest and subsequent transfer of former President Rodrigo Duterte to the International Criminal Court (ICC).
The criminal cases against him were eventually dismissed, and he received a clearance from the Office of the Ombudsman; thus, he was included in the shortlist of candidates.
On Tuesday, Malacañang announced his appointment replacing former Ombudsman Samuel Martires, whose term ended last July 27, 2025.
‘The job of the Ombudsman is for the entire Philippines, not for one political camp, so we will not spare anyone here,’ he said.
One of the pending cases at the Office of the Ombudsman involved confidential funds.
‘It’s already there at the OMB, those reports. We will open them, study them, and ask the current handlers and those with the duty to handle those cases before we proceed,’ he said, indicating an intention to address high-profile matters directly.
Remulla will take his oath on Thursday and officially assume his new position on Friday.
Meanwhile, Justice Undersecretary Fredderick Vida will be the DOJ’s officer-in-charge.