HOLDING THE MARCOS administration accountable doesn’t seem an option for the next seven years with a known political ally inching closer to becoming the next Ombudsman.
This comes as the Judicial and Bar Council released the final list of nominees from where President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. could choose and appoint the new Ombudsman.
Topping the list is Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla.
TOKEN NOMINEES
Aside from Remulla, there are six other individuals who made it to the JBC shortlist of nominees.
- Supreme Court Associate Justice Samuel Gaerlan
- Retired Supreme Court Associate Justice Mario Lopez
- Sandiganbayan Associate Justice Michael Frederick Musngi
- Philippine Competition Commissioner Michael Aguinaldo
- Philippine Postal Corporation Chairman Stephen Cruz
- Deputy Executive Secretary for Legal Affairs Anna Liza Logan
Under the 1987 Constitution, the President should appoint a new Ombudsman within three months from the time of vacancy in view of retirement.
ALMOST CERTAIN
According to Senator Imee Marcos, the Justice Secretary’s appointment as the new Ombudsman by the President is a sure thing, even as she claimed that the Palace would make an announcement on Remulla’s new assignment on Monday at the latest.
Unlike political appointees, members of the judiciary — including the Ombudsman doesn’t need confirmation from the Commission on Appointments.
The Ombudsman also has a non-renewable term of seven years and can only be removed through impeachment.
The individual who will be appointed to the post will occupy the Office of the Ombudsman, which was vacated by former Ombudsman Samuel Martires, whose term expired on July 27, 2025.
TALL ORDER
Under its mandate, the Ombudsman investigates and prosecutes public officials and employees for illegal, unjust, improper, or inefficient acts, and handles complaints from citizens about government services.
The Ombudsman also acts as a graft prevention office by identifying causes of corruption and providing recommendations to eliminate the practice and provide public assistance to help citizens access basic services.
The Ombudsman can also impose penalties, such as suspension or dismissal, on erring public officers and employees.
As an Ombudsman, Remulla is expected to commence a purge of government crooks, particularly against government officials linked to the flood control scandal. He also hinted at allowing access to government officials’ statements of assets and liabilities (SALN) as long as it will not be used to harass them.