Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla is among seven candidates shortlisted by the Judicial and Bar Council for the position of Ombudsman, according to a letter sent to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday.
The JBC submitted the nominations following its deliberations to fill the vacancy left by former Ombudsman Samuel Martires, whose term expired July 27, the letter showed.
The other nominees are Michael Galicia Aguinaldo, Stephen Capariña Cruz, Samuel Hufano Gaerlan, Anna Liza Gonzalez Logan, Mario Villamor Lopez and Michael Frederick De Leon Musngi, listed in alphabetical order.
Remulla, a lawyer from Cavite province, has served as justice secretary since Marcos took office in June 2022.
Before his Cabinet appointment, he was a three-year governor of Cavite (2016-2019), one of the country’s most populous and politically significant provinces.
The Remulla family wields considerable political influence in Cavite. His brother, Jonvic, serves as Secretary of the Interior and Local Government in the Marcos Cabinet.
As justice secretary, Remulla has been involved in high-profile cases including the government’s drug war review and cases against political figures.
The Ombudsman is tasked with investigating and prosecuting government officials accused of graft and corruption.
The position has a seven-year term with no reappointment allowed under the Philippine Constitution.
President Marcos will select the next Ombudsman from the JBC’s shortlist.
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