Ombudsman Remulla reveals he had leukemia after bypass surgeries
MANILA, Philippines — Newly appointed Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla said that he was diagnosed with a type of blood cancer after his bypass surgery.
In an interview with journalist Luchi Cruz-Valdez on October 24, Remulla said that doctors discovered he had leukemia after his quintuple bypass surgery in 2023.
“Nagkaroon ako ng quintuple bypass. Open heart. At noong pagaling na ako, na-diagnose ako ng cancer,” he said.
(I went through a quintuple bypass, open-heart surgery. Just as I was starting to get better, I received a cancer diagnosis.)
He successfully recovered from the cancer after receiving chemotherapy and a bone marrow transplant, for which his son served as the donor.
“Kaya ang dugo ko ngayon ay hindi na yung dati kong dugo. Ito yung dugo na galing sa aking anak,” he said.
(So my blood now is no longer my own blood. This is the blood that came from my son.)
It may be recalled that in February 2024, he revealed that he had “complications” months after undergoing heart bypass surgery.
RELATED: Remulla admits having ‘complications’ following bypass surgery
Remulla underwent a heart bypass surgery in June 2023, which prompted him to take a wellness leave. During that time, he revealed that doctors found blockages in his heart.
The former Cavite representative turned secretary of justice was appointed as Ombudsman on Oct. 7, 2025.
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