NBI: Fresh raps challenge Remulla’s ombudsman bid

MANILA, Philippines —  Stopping Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla from becoming the next ombudsman could be the purported reason for the new case he is facing, according to resigned National Bureau of Investigation director Jaime Santiago.

Remulla and Santiago are facing charges of arbitrary detention and graft and corruption over the “illegal arrest and detention” of Shiela Guo and Cassandra Li Ong.

Shiela is the sister of detained former Bamban mayor and accused Chinese spy Alice Guo, while Ong was an incorporator of Lucky South 99, a Philippine offshore gaming operator (POGO) in Pampanga.

In a complaint filed with the ombudsman on Monday, Guo and Ong’s lawyer Ferdinand Topacio argued that his clients were arrested without a warrant or justification.

At the time of their arrest in August 2024, Shiela had an outstanding arrest order from the Senate for failing to appear at multiple POGO-related inquiries, while Ong was cited in contempt by the House quad committee.

Santiago is questioning why Topacio filed the case only a year later.

“When I filed my resignation, Topacio was the very first one who greeted me for being competent,” he recalled. “Then now, he’ll sue me. It’s a non-sequitur.”

Some forces are moving “heaven and earth” to peel Remulla away from the shortlist that the Judicial and Bar Council will submit to President Marcos, Santiago said.

Remulla is also facing charges over the arrest of former president Rodrigo Duterte, who is facing a crimes against humanity case in The Hague stemming from his bloody drug war.

Remulla needs an ombudsman clearance to make it to the shortlist.