Ombudsman’s net worth grows by P20 million

MANILA, Philippines —  The declared wealth of Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla increased by nearly P20 million in just three months after he assumed office, based on his statements of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALN) as of December 2025.

Remulla’s SALN, a copy of which was obtained by The STAR from the Office of the Ombudsman, showed his net worth rising from P441.737 million in October 2025 to P461.411 million in December in the same year. Net worth is computed by subtracting total liabilities from total assets.

Remulla and his wife Ma. Josefina had P442.037 million in total assets as of Oct. 10, 2025, comprising P83.237 million in real properties and P358.8 million in personal properties, which included stocks, cash in bank, furniture, several pieces of jewelry, personal belongings and motor vehicles.

They declared liabilities worth P300,000 composed of a personal loan and unpaid subscription to a corporation called La Poch Villa Realty Inc.

They also declared having shares of stock in South Livestock and South 7 Realty, as well as La Poch Villa Realty Inc.

The increase in their SALN could be attributed to the purchase of four farm lots in Indang, Cavite, one of which was bought in 2024 for P20.032 million. The others were acquired in 2025 for P1.8 million, P5.224 million and P8.087 million.

Some of their real properties declared earlier no longer appeared in their SALN by end-2025, including a P4.5-million house and lot in Baguio City, which was bought in 2024, and three lots in Bacoor City worth P1.272 million, P976,248 and P1.342 million.

A residential lot in Cavite purchased in 2022 worth P3.2 million was also declared in their SALN as of Dec. 31, 2025.

Remulla and his wife declared lower cash in bank, from P300 million as of October 2025 to P297.219 million by end of December in the same year.

Remulla assumed office on Oct. 9 last year after serving as justice chief.

Based on the Commission on Audit’s 2025 Report on Salaries and Allowances, Remulla was the second highest-paid Cabinet member with a net pay of P5.97 million.

This included P2.93 million in basic salary as Department of Justice chief for the first 10 months of the year. He did not receive any basic salary when he became the ombudsman in October, although he received P1.269 million in allowances, P659,716 in bonus, incentives and benefits, totaling P1.929 million.