Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Secretary Dave Gomez on Tuesday officially announced the appointment of former Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla as the new Ombudsman of the Philippines.

The announcement was made during a press briefing at Malacañang, where Gomez emphasized President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s confidence in Remulla’s integrity and track record in public service.

Shortly after the announcement, Remulla addressed reporters at the Department of Justice, outlining his vision for a more transparent and responsive Office of the Ombudsman.

“Transparency and a lot of action,” Remulla said. “People want to know what the Ombudsman is doing. We need to explain to them that there is an office doing this work.”

He revealed plans to establish a media office within the agency to ensure regular updates and public engagement, saying it’s a necessary step to meet growing demands for accountability.

“It’s not just about prosecution,” Remulla added. “The Ombudsman must also serve as a voice of the people, monitoring what the government needs to do.”

Remulla said he will continue the DOJ’s collaboration with the Ombudsman, particularly in filing cases against officials below Salary Grade 27 before regional trial courts. He also plans to adopt reforms from his time at the DOJ’s National Prosecution Service, including stricter case evaluation to prevent nuisance suits and raise evidentiary standards.

“We must stop weaponizing the office,” he said. “We should look for strong, airtight evidence and push for continuous trials to prevent delays.”

On the pending case involving Vice President Sara Duterte’s confidential funds, Remulla assured the public that it will be thoroughly reviewed.

“The reports are already with the Office of the Ombudsman,” he said. “We will open them, study them, and consult those currently handling the case before taking further steps.”

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