A viral Facebook post falsely claimed that newly appointed Ombudsman Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla said the country’s problem is Vice President Sara Duterte’s Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN) rather than recent disasters. Fact-checking outlet Vera Files clarified that the quote card is satire.
The misleading post, published on October 8 by the page Flash Report, featured photos of Remulla and Duterte with the text: “Hindi lindol, sunog at baha ang problema natin kundi ‘yung SALN ni VP Sara.” The post has since generated tens of thousands of reactions and shares, with many users believing the quote was genuine.
According to Vera Files, Remulla never made such a statement. Since assuming office on October 7, the Ombudsman has only spoken publicly about reviewing the House report on the alleged misuse of confidential funds under the Office of the Vice President and the Department of Education during Duterte’s tenure as secretary.
He also said his office will set clear guidelines for the release of government officials’ SALNs in compliance with the Data Privacy Act—revisiting the restrictions imposed under the 2020 circular of former Ombudsman Samuel Martires.
While Flash Report included a disclaimer labeling the post as satire, the quote card still circulated widely, with several other pages and users reposting it without the satire tag.
Remulla, appointed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and sworn in on October 9 before Supreme Court Senior Associate Justice Marvic Leonen, will serve as Ombudsman until 2032.
