Malacañang on Monday responded to Vice President Sara Duterte’s criticism of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s appointment of former Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla as the new Ombudsman, asserting that the President made the decision with sound judgment.
“Ang alam po natin the President thinks well, knows better,” Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said in a media briefing.
Castro added that Marcos remains firm in his campaign against corruption. “Alam din po natin na ang Pangulo ang nagpaumpisa para po labanan ang korapsyon at hindi po niya hahayaan na ma-tolerate o kampihan o depensahan iyong gumagawa ng pagnanakaw ng pondo ng bayan,” she said.
The Palace official also addressed Duterte’s statement that she would not have appointed Remulla if she were president. “Nagkataon po hindi siya po ang presidente so mahirap pong sagutin ang isang pangarap na hindi mangyayari sa ngayon,” Castro remarked.
Duterte previously said she was willing to submit her Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth to the Ombudsman but reiterated her disapproval of Remulla’s selection for the post.
Remulla’s appointment drew criticism from supporters of former President Rodrigo Duterte following his alleged link to the International Criminal Court’s arrest and detention of the ex-leader.
Meanwhile, Malacañang said President Marcos has yet to announce Remulla’s successor as Justice Secretary. Castro explained that the President continues to search for a leader with “integrity, reliability, fairness, and no political bias” to head the Department of Justice.
