MANILA — Ombudsman Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla is “in excellent health and fully capable” of leading the country’s top anti-graft office, the Office of the Ombudsman assured on Monday, stressing that his past illness will not affect his commitment to hold erring officials accountable.
The statement came after public discussions resurfaced about Remulla’s previous battle with leukemia in 2023, when he was still serving as Justice Secretary. The Ombudsman’s office clarified that Remulla has long recovered and remains “buong sigla at dedikasyon” in performing his duties.
“Ang Ombudsman ay nasa mabuting kalusugan at patuloy na ginagampanan ang kanyang tungkulin nang buong sigla at dedikasyon,” the statement read.
“Ang Ombudsman ay malaya na sa kanser at malaya na sa loob ng isa’t kalahating taon. Siya rin ay nag-eehersisyo tuwing umaga bago pumasok sa opisina upang mapanatili ang malusog na pamumuhay,” it added.
In a recent interview, Remulla recalled undergoing quintuple bypass surgery and chemotherapy after being diagnosed with leukemia, describing it as one of the most difficult periods of his life.
“’Nung 2023, na-diagnose ako sa puso na kailangan ko ng bypass, so nagpa-opera ako, nagkaroon ako ng quintuple bypass, open heart, at noong pagaling na ako ay na-diagnose naman ako ng cancer, leukemia, cancer ng dugo,” he said in a TV5 interview.
Remulla added that his bone marrow transplant — donated by his own child — proved successful.
“Full match kami kaya naka–recover ako at mukhang maganda naman ang prognosis,” he said.
The Ombudsman’s office clarified that his recent comments were in the past tense, referring to experiences prior to his appointment.
“Ang kanyang kamakailang pahayag tungkol sa kanyang kalusugan ay nasa past tense, dahil tumutukoy ito sa kanyang karanasan bago pa siya maupo bilang Ombudsman,” it explained.
It also underscored that Remulla remains firmly focused on ongoing corruption probes, including the high-profile investigation into flood control projects.
“Tinitiyak namin sa publiko na determinado ang Ombudsman na papanagutin ang mga responsable sa isyung ito ng flood control — at higit pa siyang nasa mabuting kalagayan upang gawin iyon,” the office said.
Remulla officially took his oath as Ombudsman before Supreme Court Justice Marvic Leonen on October 9, 2025, succeeding retired Ombudsman Samuel Martires./PN
