08/08/2025
𝗥𝗲𝗺𝘂𝗹𝗹𝗮 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗾𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗲𝗱 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗢𝗺𝗯𝘂𝗱𝘀𝗺𝗮𝗻 𝗥𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝗗𝘂𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗣𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗖𝗮𝘀𝗲 — 𝗦𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗰𝗲
Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin "Boying" Remulla has been disqualified by the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) from the shortlist of candidates for Ombudsman, according to a source privy to the deliberations.
The disqualification stems from a pending case filed against Remulla before the Office of the Ombudsman, in relation to the controversial arrest and transfer of former President Rodrigo Duterte to the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague. The case is said to involve alleged violations tied to Duterte’s warrant of arrest over crimes against humanity linked to the bloody “war on drugs.”
The same source revealed that Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) chairman Felix Reyes was also removed from the list of candidates due to alleged links to case-fixing involving businessman Charlie “Atong” Ang, who has been linked to the unresolved disappearance of 34 sabungeros. Reyes has denied the allegations.
Following his disqualification, Remulla reportedly informed officials at the Department of Justice that he would no longer be seeking the Ombudsman post. Had he been considered for the role, he was said to be eyeing DOJ Undersecretaries Raul Vasquez or Jesse Andres as his possible successors.
Remulla was among the officials named in a Senate probe led by Sen. Imee Marcos, who earlier pushed for charges of graft, grave misconduct, and usurpation of judicial functions over Duterte’s arrest.
The ICC has scheduled a confirmation of charges hearing on September 23, where both prosecutors and Duterte’s defense will present their evidence.
The Ombudsman position was vacated following the retirement of Samuel Martires on July 27. Other candidates still in contention include Justices Samuel Gaerlan, Michael Musngi, and Geraldine Econg; former BIR chief Kim Henares-Jacinto; PCC chair Michael Aguinaldo; CHR commissioner Beda Epres; and several other judges and legal experts.