President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has appointed Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla as the next Ombudsman of the Philippines, succeeding Samuel Martires, whose term ended in July 27 this year.
The Presidential Communications Office (PCO) confirmed the appointment on Tuesday, saying the President made the decision in line with his administration’s goal of strengthening accountability and transparency across government institutions.
Remulla, who has led the Department of Justice (DOJ) since 2022, is expected to take on one of the most independent and influential posts in government once he formally takes his oath. The Ombudsman holds a fixed seven-year term and is mandated to investigate and prosecute cases of misconduct involving public officials.
In a brief statement, Remulla said he intends to ensure that the Office of the Ombudsman remains fair, impartial, and insulated from political pressure. He also vowed to speed up the resolution of pending cases and maintain due process in all investigations.
“The Ombudsman must stand as a guardian of justice, not a weapon of politics,” Remulla said, underscoring his goal of rebuilding public trust in the institution.
Legal analysts and civil society groups reacted to the appointment with measured optimism, noting that Remulla’s long experience in the justice sector could strengthen the Ombudsman’s operational capacity. However, some watchdog groups called for continued vigilance to preserve the office’s independence, especially when handling politically sensitive cases.
Remulla is set to replace Samuel Martires, who served as Ombudsman from 2018 to 2025. His formal assumption of office will follow the official oath-taking and turnover of duties in the coming days. Cali Demi
