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DOJ Secretary Boying Remulla. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News

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Katrina Domingo

Agatha Gregorio

Victoria Tulad

ABS-CBN News

MANILA — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has appointed Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla as the new Ombudsman, the Palace said Tuesday.“As Ombudsman, Remulla is expected to uphold transparency, strengthen anti-corruption measures, and ensure that justice is administered fairly and efficiently,” Malacanang said. “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,” it added. Remulla replaces Samuel Martires who retired in July.Remulla earlier <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/9/2/if-chosen-as-ombudsman-remulla-vows-to-overturn-martires-circular-on-saln-1440">promised to overturn Martires’ memorandum circular </a>on limited access to officials’ Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN), saying this should be more accessible to the public. But he said this should not be used for blackmail or vilification. Under the circular, only the public official who filed the document, their representative, courts which issued a lawful order, and the Ombudsman’s field investigation units are able to access SALNs.<div>OPPOSITION TO OMBUDSMAN BID</div>The President’s sister Sen. Imee Marcos earlier criticized Remulla’s reported appointment to the Office of the Ombudsman and questioned the supposedly speedy dismissal of several administrative and disbarment complaints against him.Sen. Rodante Marcoleta had also opposed Remulla’s nomination as Ombudsman, citing his statement that restitution or the return of unlawfully acquired funds should come before admission into the Witness Protection Program — a requirement that does not exist in the law. <div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/9/15/marcoleta-says-discayas-need-not-return-money-to-become-state-witnesses-1137">&#x27;I&#x27;m going to confront the secretary of justice&#x27;: Marcoleta says Discayas need not return money to become state witnesses</a></div>The Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) took Marcoleta’s opposition lightly, said Retired Supreme Court Associate Justice Jose Catral Mendoza, who faced the Commission on Appointments for the consideration of his ad interim appointment as member of the JBC. “If you hear it from no less than the Secretary of Justice, abrogating all the cornerstones of our belief in ourselves and our constitution — can you still include him as an applicant to the Ombudsman? Somebody who will preside over the lives, properties and liberties of every city and this country. You take light of that?” Marcoleta asked earlier Tuesday. “The majority considered it as light,” Mendoza replied.  “The majority took light of the opposition of the Senator of this republic?” Marcoleta followed up. “That is a fact, your honor,” Mendoza answered. <div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/9/23/marcoleta-warns-remulla-of-possible-disbarment-in-restitution-row-1057">‘You may be disbarred from doing this’: Marcoleta, Remulla spar over restitution for witness protection</a></div>He said that the reasons in the sworn opposition were considered but since Remulla was not disqualified after he obtained a clearance from the Ombudsman, the JBC decided that he can be voted upon. <div>‘RIGOROUS PROCESS’</div>In a press conference, Malacañang defended the President’s pick, saying that Remulla underwent a “very rigorous” selection process.“There’s always a very stringent process required under  the Constitution. He was vetted by the JBC (Judicial and Bar Council)  and appointed by the President,” Communications Secretary Dave Gomez said.“I don’t believe there is basis for that concern,” he said when asked about criticisms that the new Ombudsman might be partial in prosecuting the President’s political foes.“I wouldn’t say he is the most controversial. As I said, there is a vetting process. He went through that very rigorous process,” he said.Remulla was among seventeen applicants for Ombudsman, which included other shortlisted individuals such as Anna Liza Logan, Michael Frederick Musngi, Michael Aguinaldo, Samuel Gaerlan, Mario Lopez, and Stephen Cruz.Remulla did not take part in deliberations on the shortlist as he is an ex-officio member of the JBC.<div>DOJ STINT</div>Malacañang has yet to name Remulla’s replacement in the Department of Justice. Remulla had served as the 59th Secretary of Justice since June 2022. Under his leadership, the Department of Justice “advanced major reforms to modernize the justice system, decongest prisons, accelerate case resolution, and expand access to legal services,” the Palace said.Prior to leading the DOJ, Remulla served as Cavite&#x27;s Seventh District representative.Remulla also used to be governor of Cavite, being part of a clan of politicians in the province.The DOJ secretary actively campaigned for Marcos when he ran for president.Marcos previously said he has known Remulla since 2007. The President said the DOJ chief was “absolutely a very, very good lawyer.”

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has appointed Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla as the new Ombudsman, the Palace said Tuesday.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has appointed Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla as the new Ombudsman, the Palace said Tuesday.

Boying Remulla is new Ombudsman

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Boying Remulla is new Ombudsman

Katrina Domingo,

Agatha Gregorio,

Victoria Tulad,

ABS-CBN News

Published October 07, 2025 02:21 PM PHT

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Updated October 07, 2025 03:49 PM PHT

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Ombudsman

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