By Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos
MANILA – Malacañang on Wednesday said incoming Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla is expected to uphold transparency and ensure that government officials found guilty of wrongdoing are held accountable.
In a press briefing, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro emphasized that Remulla’s appointment comes with the responsibility to serve the entire nation, and not any particular group or interest.
“Unang-una, nadinig po natin si Secretary Boying Remulla na ang pagiging at pagkatalaga sa kanya bilang Ombudsman ay nararapat na magkaroon ng transparency, at managot ang dapat na managot kung mayroon man dapat na managot (First of all, we heard Secretary Boying Remulla say that his appointment as Ombudsman must come with transparency, and that those who should be held accountable must indeed be held accountable),” Castro said.
“Ang pagtatrabaho po ng Ombudsman Remulla ay para sa buong bansa, hindi para sa iisang sektor o iisang panig lamang na grupo ng mga Pilipino (Ombudsman Remulla’s mandate is to work for the entire country, not just for a single sector or a specific group of Filipinos),” she added.
Castro said Malacañang expects Remulla to carry out his duties with integrity and without bias.
This, as she stressed the importance of fair and thorough investigations into all relevant matters handled by the Ombudsman.
“Kung ano po ang dapat na imbestigahan ay dapat pong imbestigahan. Hindi po dapat na may talikuran o kaya tulugan. Kung ano ang nararapat na malaman ng taumbayan, dapat po maimbestigahan ng Ombudsman (What needs to be investigated must be investigated. Nothing should be neglected or ignored. The Ombudsman must investigate matters the public deserves to know about),” Castro said.
Remulla, currently serving as Justice secretary, will replace Ombudsman Samuel Martires, whose term ended last July 27. He is scheduled to take oath on Thursday.
The Ombudsman is an independent Constitutional body that investigates and prosecutes government officials and employees accused of graft, corruption and other abuses of power. (PNA)
