Camille Naredo

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla during a press conference at the PNP Media Center, in Camp Crame in Quezon City on April 3, 2023. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News/File

Secretary of Interior and Local Government Benjamin Abalos, Jr. and Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla share updates from Special Task Force Degamo, during a press conference at the PNP Media Center, in Camp Crame in Quezon City on April 3, 2023. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN new

Article (news)

DEGAMO CASE

Job Manahan

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/175680716798320230403-pnp-task-force-degamo-briefing-JC1125.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla during a press conference at the PNP Media Center, in Camp Crame in Quezon City on April 3, 2023. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News/File"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla during a press conference at the PNP Media Center, in Camp Crame in Quezon City on April 3, 2023. <em>Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News/File</em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla will file a motion to resolve a complaint against him at the Office of the Ombudsman in connection with former President Rodrigo Duterte’s arrest.</p><p>In a chance interview with reporters on Tuesday, September 2, Remulla said he wants the matter resolved “as soon as possible,” noting that the Ombudsman has yet to give him clearance for his application.</p><p>Sen. Imee Marcos filed criminal and administrative complaints against Remulla and other government officials in May over Duterte’s arrest.</p><p>But the justice secretary insists he was merely doing his job.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/9/2/if-chosen-as-ombudsman-remulla-vows-to-overturn-martires-circular-on-saln-1440">READ: If chosen as Ombudsman, Remulla vows to overturn Martires’ circular on SALN</a></div><p>“Trabaho namin yan eh, to keep the country stable, to prevent violence, to prevent the happening of any untoward acts and I think that we were able to peacefully bring him out abroad to face the charges against him without hurting anybody physically,” he told reporters at the sidelines of his interview with the Judicial Bar and Council (JBC).</p><p>“I think that&#x27;s the most important thing. It&#x27;s the most peaceful way of doing what had to be done,” he added.</p><p>He also emphasized that Duterte’s arrest “has a basis in law,” particularly under Republic Act No. 9851, also known as the &quot;Philippine Act on Crimes Against International Humanitarian Law.</p><p>“Ang opinion ko kasi, ano yun eh, is a time when they ask the Secretary of Justice. I said it&#x27;s the right thing to do. I gave the clearance. That&#x27;s it,” he said.</p><p>According to Section 5 of JBC’s Rules published in 2020, the following are disqualified from being nominated or appointed to any judicial post for the ombudsman, deputy ombudsman, special prosecutor, chair or regular member of the Legal Education Board:</p><div><strong>Applicants with Criminal Cases:</strong></div><ul><li>Those with pending criminal cases involving moral turpitude in the Philippines;</li><li>Those with pending criminal cases in foreign courts or tribunals; and</li><li>Those who have been convicted in any criminal case under penal laws or found guilty in a case which is criminal in nature, such as direct or indirect contempt;</li></ul><div><strong>Applicants with Administrative Cases:</strong></div><ul><li>Those with pending administrative cases or complaints in the Office of the Ombudsman which are either under factfinding stage and the applicants were not issued a clearance, or still under administrative adjudication;</li><li>Those with pending administrative cases or complaints before any court, office, tribunal, any government office, agency, or instrumentality, or before the IBP or any association, disciplinary committee or body when, in the determination of the Council, the complaints are serious or grave as to affect their fitness for nomination.</li></ul><p>Supreme Court Spokesperson Camille Ting said aside from Remulla, PCSO Chairman and former judge Felix Reyes have yet to secure an Ombudsman clearance.</p><p>Ting said they still have to secure this before the day of the shortlist deliberation or “weeks” from now.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/8/29/remulla-suggests-including-officials-kin-in-lifestyle-checks-2359">READ: Remulla suggests including officials&#x27; kin in lifestyle checks</a></div><p>“On the day of the deliberation for the shortlist, dapat may clearance na ang applicants. If wala pa silang ombudsman clearance by that day, they cannot be considered as part of the nominated, hindi sila ma-iinclude sa shortlist,” she said.</p><p>“Yung due date for the ombudsman clearance is the final deliberations,” she added.</p><p>Aside from Remulla, respondents to Sen. Marcos&#x27; complaint include then Criminal Investigation and Detection Group director Nicholas Torre and then PNP chief Rommel Francisco Marbil.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO:</strong></div><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/TtwWybCwGIE?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div><script data-wid="auto" type="text/javascript" src="https://content.viralize.tv/display/?zid=AAFz8gWM8iRADsJr&amp;cid=ABf-ENZv6maJQ0LI"></script>

<p>Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla will file a motion to resolve a complaint against him at the Office of the Ombudsman in connection with former President Rodrigo Duterte’s arrest.</p>

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla will file a motion to resolve a complaint against him at the Office of the Ombudsman in connection with former President Rodrigo Duterte’s arrest.

Remulla seeks resolution of Ombudsman complaint, says Duterte arrest just part of his job

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Remulla seeks resolution of Ombudsman complaint, says Duterte arrest just part of his job

Job Manahan,

ABS-CBN News

Published September 02, 2025 06:57 PM PHT

|

Updated September 02, 2025 09:39 PM PHT

Read More:

Rodrigo Duterte

DOJ

Department of Justice

Jesus Crispin Remulla

Office of the Ombudsman

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