MALACAÑANG confirmed on Wednesday that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has yet to select or shortlist any candidate to replace Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla, who is set to assume his new post as Ombudsman.
“Sa ngayon, wala pa po sa ating naibibigay na anumang detalye patungkol po diyan (For now, we haven’t received any details yet about it),” Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said during a Palace briefing.
“Pero once na nabigay po sa atin, sa inyo ko po unang sasabihin (But once I have details, I will inform you at once),” she added.
In the meantime, DOJ Undersecretary Fredderick Vida has been designated as officer-in-charge until a new secretary is appointed.
Remulla’s appointment as the new Ombudsman was announced earlier this week. He will serve a seven-year term and is tasked with investigating and prosecuting public officials involved in illegal, unjust, or corrupt acts, as well as preventing abuse in government service.
Remulla was chosen from six nominees shortlisted by the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) for the position.
Before assuming office, he secured clearance from the Office of the Ombudsman in connection with a pending case related to his alleged involvement in the extradition of former President Rodrigo Duterte to The Hague, Netherlands.