Remulla to take flood control cases to Sandiganbayan, says no one will be spared
MANILA, Philippines — Newly-installed Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla said that he is prepared to move the controversial flood control project cases from his office to the Sandiganbayan for prosecution.
Remulla said that the goal is to ensure cases are filed with fully compiled evidence so they are immediately ready for trial, to eliminate the "delaying tactics" in the case.
"Kanina pinag-usapan namin ni SAJ Leonen (Senior Associate Justice Marvic Leonen), na continuous trial talaga para wala ng delaying tactics na pwedeng umiral na matulog nang matagal itong mga kasong ito," Remulla said in an interview with reporters after his oath taking on Thursday, October 9.
(I spoke with SAJ Leonen this morning, and we talked about making sure the trials are continuous so that no delaying tactics can be used to let these cases languish.)
"Kailangan dito tuloy-tuloy ang daloy ng kaso," he added.
(The case needs to move forward without interruption.)
When asked if there is a timeline for when the Office of the Ombudsman will file cases, Remulla said that it will depend on the evidence available.
"Talagang sisikapin namin na mabuo nang husto kasi ayaw namin na kami ang maging cause ng delay," Remulla said.
(We will truly strive to complete this fully, because we don't want to be the cause of any delay.)
"Ang timeline niyan will depend on that, pero malamang niyan, within the next few weeks, 'pag nagfile kami ready kami for trial," he added.
(The timeline for that will depend on [the evidence completion], but most likely, within the next few weeks, when we file, we will be ready for trial.)
No one will be spared. Remulla also said his office's concern is "building the case," specifically focusing on the charges and the evidence rather than the identity of the accused.
He said that no one is exempt from the investigation, regardless of their high or low position, even if it involves family members of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
"Kaya everybody comes in there, wala tayong sinisino rito. Mataas man o mababa pero sisiguraduhin natin yung ebidensya ang nakatuon 'pag file natin ng kaso so kahit mataas 'yan, kahit umabot ng senador 'yan, kung saan man abutin 'yan, gagawin natin," he said.
(This means everyone is subject to the investigation, and we are not singling anyone out. Regardless of whether the individual is high-ranking or low-ranking, we will ensure that the evidence is the concentration when we file the case. We will see it through, even if it reaches a senator or wherever the trail leads.)
Remulla, whose family members occupy government positions in the national government and in Cavite, was then asked what he would do if any of his family members were involved in corruption.
He said: "'Yung mga anak ko pinalaki namin 'yan ng asawa ko na maaayos na tao at alam nila na 'pag ang tatay nila ay nagtrabaho ay trabaho talaga," Remulla said.
(My wife and I raised our children to be good people, and they know that when their father works, it is truly about the job.)
"They know about it. Kaya ako hindi ako natatakot na mayroon silang gagawin na masama kasi I think we raised them very well," he added.
(They know about it. That is why I am not afraid that they will do anything bad, because I think we raised them very well.)
In October 2022, it could be recalled that his son was charged with possession of illegal drugs before a Las Piñas court.
Then justice chief Remulla vowed not to interfere in the case, saying his son "will have to face his predicament as a fully emancipated child."
"A person should always face the consequences of their actions and I will let justice take its own course," Remulla said in 2022.
Remulla took his oath of office on October 9 as the Ombudsman. He succeeds former Ombudsman Samuel Martires, whose term expired on July 27.
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