VP Sara open to Ombudsman Remulla reviewing her SALN

Vice President Sara Duterte on Saturday asked newly installed Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla to properly review her Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN).

“Huwag na niya silipin. Ilagay na niya sa harap niya at pag-aralan na niya ng maayos kung ano man 'yung gusto niyang gawin. Ipagpasa-Diyos na lang natin siya at ang kanyang mga gagawin bilang Ombudsman,” she told reporters during her visit to earthquake victims in Mati City, Davao Oriental. 

(He shouldn’t just look into it. He should place it in front of him and study it properly, whatever his intentions are. Let’s just pray for him and whatever he intends to do as Ombudsman.)

The statement followed Remulla's announcement on Friday that he would make government officials' SALNs, including those of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Duterte, publicly accessible.

Meanwhile, Duterte said that Remulla was not her choice for Ombudsman.

“Kung ako presidente, hindi siya ang ia-appoint ko na Ombudsman,” she said. 

(If I were the president, I would not appoint him as Ombudsman.)

Following his appointment, Remulla said he would study the complaint filed against Duterte over the alleged misuse of confidential funds amounting to P500 million in the Office of the Vice President (OVP) and P112.5 million in the Department of Education (DepEd) from 2022 to 2024.

"Bubuklatin natin. Pag-aaralan at tatanungin natin 'yung mga may hawak na ngayon, mga may hawak at 'yung may tungkulin na hawakan 'yung mga kasong iyon," he said on October 7. 

(We will open it up. We will study it and ask those who are currently handling it, those who have custody and are responsible for managing the complaint.)

The complaint stemmed from the recommendation of the House committee on good governance and public accountability to file charges against her.

In June, the Ombudsman directed Duterte and nine officials from the DepEd and the OVP to respond to the charges.

She has filed her counter-affidavit answering the allegations.

Senator Imee Marcos, the president's sister, claimed that Remulla was being pushed into the Ombudsman post in order to jail Duterte and her allies before the 2028 presidential election. President Marcos has denied his sister's claim. —VBL, GMA Integrated News