DOJ’s Remulla: I will answer Imee Marcos’ complaint before Ombudsman

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla on Wednesday said he will answer the allegations of Senator Imee Marcos against him and others before the Office of the Ombudsman over the arrest of former president Rodrigo Duterte, even as he questioned the procedures of the office.

“Actually, the complaint itself parang na-weirdan ako kasi hindi naman committee report eh. Why the haste? Why not wait for the committee report? Kasi, that's the committee investigation,” Remulla said in an ambush interview.

(Actually, I found the complaint itself a bit strange because it’s not even a committee report. Why the haste? Why not wait for the committee report? (Because) that’s the proper committee investigation.)

“What was contained was the chairman’s report. That’s a little strange. But anyway, we will answer it,” he added.

He later said that the procedures of the Ombudsman were “not clear” and that the rules were seemingly not followed.

“Kasi dati, merong fact-finding ‘yan. May rules na published ‘yan. ‘Yung ngayon parang hindi na dumaan sa fact-finding. Basta’t dire-diretso agad sa amin. We’ll see. I will not insinuate anything,” he said.

(Before, there was a fact-finding process. There were published rules. But now, it seems like it didn’t go through fact-finding. It was just forwarded straight to us. We’ll see. I will not insinuate anything.)

Last week, Marcos submitted to the Ombudsman a chairman's report of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations on Duterte’s arrest and transfer to the International Criminal Court.

The letter said the inquiry “uncovered acts by high-ranking government officials which very likely constitute criminal and administrative offenses.”

On Tuesday, the Ombudsman ordered concerned officials to answer.

When asked if he believes that Marcos will be satisfied once they answer, Remulla said it should be enough after the midterm elections on May 12. 

“Kasi para ine-aid lang, parang gusto lang talaga makakuha ng publicity tungkol sa election. Wala tayong magagawa,” he said.

(It seems like it’s just being aided, as if the real intent is just to gain publicity for the election. There’s nothing we can do.)

Aside from Remulla, the Ombudsman also ordered Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Rommel Marbil, Special Envoy on Transnational Crime Markus Lacanilao, and Criminal Investigation and Detection Group Police Maj. Gen. Nicolas Torre to answer the allegations.

For its part, Malacañang has reiterated that the government followed the law and acted in cooperation with the International Criminal Police Organization or Interpol.

Duterte was arrested on March 11 at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport after arriving from Hong Kong.

Following his arrest, the former president was transferred to the ICC in The Hague, Netherlands, where he is facing charges of crimes against humanity over his administration’s deadly war on drugs.

His confirmation of charges will take place on September 23, 2025. —RF, GMA Integrated News