Senator Imee Marcos raised alarm on Tuesday over what she claims is a third attempt—dubbed “Plan C”—to eliminate Vice President Sara Duterte and her allies from the 2028 presidential race. This time, she said, political opponents are targeting the Office of the Ombudsman.
In a Manila Bulletin report, Marcos accused unnamed rivals of seeking to install Department of Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla as Ombudsman with the intent of prosecuting Duterte. “Ipipilit nila na si Boying maging Ombudsman para ipakulong si VP Inday Sara bago mag-2027,” she warned, adding that the supposed plan could extend to other Duterte allies—and even herself.
She said the push to politicize the Ombudsman’s office is a dangerous escalation after failed efforts to remove Duterte through people’s initiative and impeachment.
“Para kayong mga kabayong naka-tapalodo sa 2028,” she said, criticizing those preoccupied with political ambitions while the country continues to suffer from corruption and recurring floods.
Marcos also revealed she filed a case with the Ombudsman on May 2 against Remulla and others for the alleged illegal arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte in March 2025. She alleged that acting Ombudsman Dante Vargas is under “tremendous pressure” to drop her complaint, citing possible monetary offers and a potential conflict of interest due to Vargas’ spouse being a classmate of Remulla.
“I urge… Vargas to resist the pressure and to honor the oath that he took,” she said in a separate statement. “Do not let the office meant to fight corruption become corrupted itself.”
Marcos insisted the Ombudsman remain a “bastion of justice,” saying: “Ang OMB ay opisina, hindi parlor. Tigilan niyo ’yan.”
Vargas, who assumed the acting Ombudsman role on August 27 following the retirement of Samuel Martires, has yet to respond to the accusations. The Judicial and Bar Council has been interviewing candidates for the top post, including Remulla, Sandiganbayan Presiding Justice Geraldine Faith Econg, former COA chair Michael Aguinaldo, and ex-BIR chief Kim Henares.
