Remulla submits ombudsman application

MANILA, Philippines — Justice Secretary Crispin Remulla has formally submitted his application for the post of ombudsman before the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC), amid the upcoming end of Ombudsman Samuel Martires’ term on July 27.

In an interview yesterday, Remulla confirmed that he filed his application on Thursday, one day ahead of the deadline given by the JBC.

Remulla said he does not know how many applied for the position.

He earlier said he had informed President Marcos about his plan to apply for ombudsman, adding that all the applications would still have to be evaluated by the JBC, of which he is a member being the justice secretary.

“I think the JBC is in the best position to appreciate whatever I have to offer as ombudsman,” Remulla said.

He said the Department of Justice will be in good hands, if ever he would be chosen to be the next ombudsman.

An ombudsman must be appointed by the President from a shortlist of at least three nominees to be submitted by the JBC. An ombudsman shall serve for a term of seven years without reappointment, in accordance with Sec. 11, Article XI of the Constitution.

The Office of the Ombudsman is an independent body with the primary duty of investigating public officials and employees for any possible criminal and administrative offenses.

The ombudsman’s prosecutorial arm, the Office of the Special Prosecutor, is also the lead body that files and prosecutes corruption-related cases against government officials before the anti-graft court Sandiganbayan.