Lawmakers to new Ombudsman Remulla: Be a true Tanodbayan, make SALNS public

Newly appointed Ombudsman Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla should prosecute corrupt officials without fear or favor and make public officials' wealth statements accessible to the public, members of the House of Representatives said Tuesday.

House Deputy Minority Leader and ML party-list Representative Leila de Lima said Remulla’s mandate is to protect the people, not his relatives or allies.

“Now more than ever, we need a true Tanodbayan—an Ombudsman who is loyal to the people, not to the one who appointed him. This remains to be seen with the newly appointed Ombudsman Boying Remulla, who must prove his independence,” de Lima, a former Justice secretary like Remulla, said in a statement.

Remulla was appointed by President Ferdinand  "Bongbong" Marcos, Jr. from a shortlist of seven candidates.

“Ngayong meron na tayong Ombudsman, dapat bilisan na ang imbestigasyon at paghahain ng mga kaso hindi lang sa maanomalyang flood control projects, kundi pati na ang iba pang talamak na katiwalian, pandarambong at sabwatan sa pamahalaan. Kung sino man ang tatamaan sa imbestigasyon ng kanyang tanggapan, lahat dapat kasuhan at panagutin,” de Lima added.

(Now that we have an Ombudsman, the investigation and filing of cases against the perpetrators of anomalous flood control projects, on top of other corruption and collusion cases among public officials, should be immediately done and resolved. Those who will be implicated should face accountability.)

In a separate statement, Akbayan party-list Representative Percival Cendaña said Remulla must perform better than his predecessor, Samuel Martires.

“Incoming Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla will have very small shoes to fill and a very low bar to clear. The previous Ombudsman became a barrier to transparency and accountability of public officials,” Cendaña said.

“I urge the new Ombudsman to immediately make SALNs [Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth] of government officials accessible to the public, and begin the process of filing criminal cases against those involved in the massive flood control corruption,” he added.

Bicol Saro Representative Terry Ridon, the lead chairperson of the House Infrastructure Committee that investigated the flood control mess, said Remulla’s appointment is a win for accountability.

“Ombudsman Remulla is empowered to initiate both administrative and criminal proceedings against all individuals found liable for the plunder of public funds—including DPWH officials, legislators, executive officials, and government contractors,” Ridon said.

“Similar to our cooperation with the Independent Commission for Infrastructure, the House Infrastructure Committee will also work with Ombudsman Remulla and transmit all transcripts, documents, and other relevant evidence arising from our previous proceedings,” he added.

House public order and safety panel chairperson and Manila Representative Rolando Valeriano, for his part, said Remulla is the Ombudsman that the country needs.

“He already set high standards on the quality of cases that came before Department of Justice prosecutors as he insisted on cases that can be won in court, not dismissed on technicalities and sloppy work,”  Valeriano said.

But for Davao City Representative Paolo Duterte, Remulla’s appointment shows the Marcos, Jr. administration is bent on covering up its flaws, though he did not specify which.

"It makes sense… sa dami ng problema ng mga nakaupo ngayon, kailangan nila ng lahat ng tulong na makuha nila para mapagtakpan sila…. even at the cost of making a mockery of our Constitution,” Duterte said.

(Of all the problems besetting those in power, they need help from a person who will cover up their flaws.) — BM, GMA Integrated News