MANILA — Newly appointed Ombudsman Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla has officially assumed his post after taking his oath of office before Supreme Court Senior Associate Justice Marvic Leonen on Thursday, marking another turn in his decades-long public career.
Remulla, who most recently served as Justice Secretary, has held a variety of key roles in government — from serving multiple terms as Cavite representative to holding the governor’s seat from 2016 to 2019. He also once served as Senior Deputy Majority Leader in the House of Representatives.
Upon stepping into his new role as the country’s chief graft-buster, Remulla immediately set his sights on the ongoing investigations into alleged irregularities in flood control projects, including reports of “ghost” infrastructure works.
“Sigurado ‘yan. Kagaya nitong flood control ghost project, open and shut case ‘yan. Hindi rocket science ‘yan. Pwede talagang panagutin lahat ng involved dyan,” he said in an interview with GMA’s “Unang Balita”, assuring that accountability would be pursued without delay.
He acknowledged, however, that investigators would have to carefully establish the extent of responsibility within the bureaucracy.
“Ang problema lang diyan, how far up the food chain do you go? Hanggang saan tayo merong ebidensya? ‘Yan ang ating pinag-aaralan ngayon,” he added.
The Ombudsman plans to initiate a motu proprio probe, coordinating efforts with the Department of Justice, the National Bureau of Investigation, and the Philippine National Police. He said his office would seek “continuous trials” to avoid drawn-out proceedings.
“Hihingi tayo ng continuous trial sa korte. At makikipag-dialogue ako sa judiciary tungkol dito para lang naman ang rules of the game malinaw. Ang dapat iwasan dito ang dilatory tactics ng mga defense counsel, usually,” Remulla explained.
He added: “Gusto namin patapusin kaagad ang pag-present ng evidence at i-rest ‘yung case ng prosecution as soon as possible. Kaya dapat dito puro continuous trial. Kapag ganyan, may mako-convict na tayo in three to four months’ time,” he added.
Remulla also said he would revisit the long-pending investigation into Pharmally Pharmaceutical Corporation, which was implicated in pandemic-era procurement controversies.
“Nag-briefing na ako kahapon ng ilang kaso sa Ombudsman. Isa ‘yan sa aking ipasisilip muli. At iyan, malamang, ibibigay ko sa ibang team kasi parang natulog nang matagal iyan,” he said.
As Ombudsman, Remulla is expected to confront some of the most politically sensitive corruption cases in recent years, testing his resolve to deliver on his promise of accountability and fast-tracked justice./PN
