Amid Calls to Investigate VP Sara Duterte’s Confidential Funds, Ombudsman Boying Remulla Speaks on Possibility of Case
Ombudsman Boying Remulla was asked about the possibility of charges being filed against a sitting vice president in the country.
Amid the flood control mess in the Philippines, Pres. Bongbong Marcos appointed former Justice Secretary Boying Remulla to be the country’s chief graft-buster. The President chose Remulla among the 7 applicants in the shortlist submitted by the Judiciary and Bar Council (JBC).
According to JBC, there were 17 applicants for the Ombudsman’s position. Remulla succeeds former Ombudsman Samuel Martires who retired in July. One of the first moves of Ombudsman Boying Remulla was restoring the public access on the government officials’ SALNs (Statements of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth). Previously, he also confirmed that he will reopen the complaints filed against Vice Pres. Sara Duterte.
Vice Pres. Sara Duterte is surrounded by questions over the alleged misuse of the confidential funds of the Office of the Vice President (OVP) and the Department of Education (DepEd). The said funds in question amount to P625 million.
Recently, Akbayan and Tindig Pilipinas filed petitions before the office of Ombudsman Boying Remulla urging it to investigate the confidential funds issue against Vice Pres. Sara Duterte. The latter is led by the late former Senator Ninoy Aquino Jr. and the late former Pres. Cory Aquino’s grandson, Kiko Aquino Dee.
Ombudsman Remulla recently appeared before the press and answered questions over the call for his office to look into the alleged misuse of the confidential funds of the offices led by Vice Pres. Sara Duterte. Based on a post of Bombo Radyo Philippines on social media, Remulla claimed that the petition has yet to be transmitted to his office.
Meanwhile, the Ombudsman assured that he will order the transfer of the document to his office so he can see it. During the press con, the country’s chief graft-buster was also asked about the possibility of a case being filed against a sitting vice president.
“Ang impeachable officer pwedeng maharap sa kaso kaya lang wala sa kapangyarihan ng Ombudsman ang alisin sila sa opisina kaya impeachment pa rin ang proseso kung nais natin silang mawala sa opisina,” Remulla said based on the post.
Aside from restoring the public access on the government officials’ SALN and reopening the complaints filed against Vice Pres. Duterte, Ombudsman Boying Remulla also want to revisit the Pharmally case. The supposed corruption took place during the presidency of former Pres. Rodrigo Roa Duterte amid the pandemic that hit the country and several nations abroad.
Undeniably, the appointment of Remulla as the Ombudsman gained criticisms most especially from the Duterte supporters. Following Remulla’s appointment as Ombudsman, presidential sister and Sen. Imee Marcos claimed that she is thinking about the safety of the life of Vice Pres. Sara Duterte.
The Senator previously claimed that she will block the appointment of Remulla as Ombudsman. According to her, the position might allegedly be used to persecute the Vice President or other members of the Duterte family.