Several lawmakers from the House of Representatives have urged Justice Secretary and newly-appointed Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla to immediately start filing cases against individuals involved in corruption schemes within flood control projects.
Remulla will take his oath on Thursday and assume office on Friday.
In a statement on Tuesday, Akbayan party-list Rep. Percival Cendaña said Remulla will have ‘very small shoes to fill and a very low bar to clear’ – referring to criticisms that the Office of the Ombudsman under its former head Samuel Martires did little to stop corruption in the country.
‘He should immediately make SALNs of government officials accessible to the public, and begin the process of filing criminal cases against those involved in the massive corruption cases,’ Cendaña noted.
Mamamayang Liberal party-list Rep. Leila de Lima said that Remulla’s appointment bears significance as more than ever, the country badly needs an ombudsman to address extensive corruption schemes in infrastructure projects.
‘Now more than ever, we need a true tanodbayan – an ombudsman who is loyal to the people, not to the one who appointed him. This remains to be seen with the newly appointed Ombudsman Boying Remulla, who must prove his independence. He should protect the people, not his relatives or political allies,’ de Lima said in a separate statement.
‘Now that we have an ombudsman, we should hasten investigations and the filing of cases not only for those related to the anomalous flood control projects, but also other forms of corruption, plunder, and conspiracy in government,’ she added.
Bicol Saro party-list Rep. Terry Ridon, lead presiding officer of the House’s infra-committee that tackled corruption issues surrounding government flood control projects, said that Remulla’s appointment is an ‘important addition to the country’s accountability mechanisms, particularly in bringing to justice the perpetrators of corruption in flood control and infrastructure projects.’
‘Ombudsman Remulla is empowered to initiate both administrative and criminal proceedings against all individuals found liable for the plunder of public funds – including DPWH (Department of Public Works and Highways) officials, legislators, executive officials, and government contractors,’ Ridon said.
‘Similar to our cooperation with the Independent Commission for Infrastructure, the House Infrastructure Committee will also work with Ombudsman Remulla and transmit all transcripts, documents, and other relevant evidence arising from our previous proceedings,’ he added.
Earlier, the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) announced that President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. had appointed Remulla as the new ombudsman, replacing Martires, whose seven-year term expired last July.
‘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,’ the PCO said in a statement.
‘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.
Manila 2nd District Rep. Rolando Valeriano said that he expected that it will be Remulla who would be appointed as Ombudsman, noting that Remulla showed his mastery of the country’s justice system while he was at the Department of Justice (DOJ).
‘It was clear to me that he brought to bear at the Department of Justice his mastery of the law and the workings of our country’s justice system. Ombudsman Remulla brings to his office that same mastery and his leadership. He set high standards on the quality of cases that came before DOJ prosecutors,’ Valeriano said.
‘He insisted on cases that can be won in court, not dismissed on technicalities and sloppy work. He is the Ombudsman we need at this juncture of our country’s history,’ he added.
Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Alfredo Garbin Jr., meanwhile, said that Remulla, a former member of the House, has proven that not even health issues could hinder his work to pursue justice.