Palace: Remulla to work as Ombudsman for nation, not select groups

Malacañang on Wednesday expressed confidence that outgoing Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin "Boying" Remulla will fulfill his duty as Ombudsman for the interest of the entire country, not for the welfare of few groups. 

"Ang pagtratrabaho po ng Ombudsman Remulla ay para sa buong bansa, hindi para sa iisang sektor o iisang panig lamang na grupo ng mga Pilipino," Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Atty. Claire Castro said in a press briefing. 

(The work of Ombudsman Remulla is for the entire country, not for a few groups or sectors.) 

Remulla was named Tuesday as the country's top prosecutor, replacing former Ombudsman Samuel Martires, whose term expired on July 27.

Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Acting Secretary Dave Gomez has defended Remulla's latest appointment, saying that it went through a very rigorous selection process. He expressed belief that there is no basis for concerns that Remulla will not become impartial in his duties. 

Remulla has vowed to prosecute those who deserve to be prosecuted after his appointment drew flak from those allied with former President Rodrigo Duterte and others who viewed his designation as something that prompts vigilance.

The President's sister, Senator Imee Marcos, earlier claimed that Remulla was being pushed into the Ombudsman post in order to jail Vice President Sara Duterte and her allies by 2028.

For his part, Remulla said he would conduct prompt investigations and case build-up, as well as ensure that the evidence that the Office of the Ombudsman would present before the Sandiganbayan or any court of law will be sufficient for conviction. — VDV, GMA Integrated News