Marcos appoints Remulla as new Ombudsman

MANILA, Philippines (Updated 2:43 p.m.) — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Tuesday, October 7, appointed Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla as the new Ombudsman.

Remulla fills the seat vacated by former Ombudsman Samuel Martires, whose term expired on July 27, 2025.

The former Justice chief will now be responsible for investigating and prosecuting Philippine government officials accused of crimes, particularly graft and corruption.

Remulla was appointed secretary of the Department of Justice in July 2022. Before serving as justice chief, he represented the 7th District of Cavite in Congress.

He was also the top-paid government official in 2023, earning a net pay of P7.08 million, up from P5.28 million the previous year, when he ranked as the third-highest-paid cabinet official.

His inclusion in the shortlist was nearly derailed after Sen. Imee Marcos filed kidnapping and arbitrary detention complaints against him with the same office Remulla was appointed to lead.

However, he was cleared of the charges last month and was included in the shortlist by the Judicial and Bar Council on October 7.