Malacañang has dismissed Vice President Sara Duterte’s disapproval of the appointment of former Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla as the new Ombudsman, saying President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ‘thinks well’ and ‘knows better.’
During a briefing on Monday, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro was asked to comment on Duterte’s statement over the weekend, in which the Vice President said, ‘If I were president, I wouldn’t appoint him [Remulla] as Ombudsman.’
Castro, in response, made sure to point out that Duterte is not the current president.
‘It just so happens that she is not the president. So, it is difficult to answer a dream that will not happen today,’ the Palace official said in Filipino.
‘But what we know is that the President thinks well, knows better. And we also know that the President initiated the fight against corruption and he will not tolerate or support or defend those who steal public funds,’ she continued in Filipino.
Remulla replaced Samuel Martires, whose seven-year term expired in July.
In a statement from the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) last October 7, it said, ‘The administration remains firm in its commitment to fight corruption wherever it exists. As Ombudsman, Remulla is expected to uphold transparency, strengthen anti-corruption measures, and ensure that justice is administered fairly and efficiently.’
‘There will be no sacred cows, no exemptions, and no excuses. Public office is a public trust, and those who betray it will be held accountable,’ the PCO added. /jpv