Remulla assures public: Probes ongoing, health 'at its best'

Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla on Thursday made his first appearance before the press this year, saying the Office of the Ombudsman remains focused on its mandate but stressed that there are still “no names” to be publicly identified as multiple preliminary investigations are ongoing.

“Let's just lay off the names, because it's misinterpreted. And some people want to push the issue more and try to put a date. I will not do that. We're done with that. I think we've learned our lesson from that,” Remulla said.

Remulla said the office is studying the possible inclusion of one sitting and one former senator in a preliminary investigation, but declined to identify them, saying the priority is ensuring justice is served.

“We cannot give any dates, or any commitments about anything. It's just that you see us here every day working to make sure that justice is obtained by the Filipino people,” the Ombudsman said.

He noted that the Department of Justice is currently conducting a preliminary investigation involving former senator Bong Revilla and incumbent senators Joel Villanueva and Jinggoy Estrada.

Remulla, a former justice secretary, said the probe should remain with the DOJ to avoid diverting attention, as the Ombudsman continues to examine what he described as a massive flood control controversy.

“Because if we pass it on to other offices, that's where the attention will go. It's important that we don't cut off our attention in every case that we're studying,” he said.

Amid renewed public interest in the so-called “Cabral files,” Remulla said the computer and documents turned over by the Department of Public Works and Highways remain sealed while the Ombudsman determines the proper procedure for accessing them.

He said the only way to establish the truth is through the computer left behind by the late DPWH undersecretary Catalina Cabral, warning against circulating unverified claims.

“The DPWH turned it over to us, and we will look into it. But other people should not say that they know what’s inside it because no one can prove it but the computer itself that we are holding,” Remulla said.

“No one can say that what they hold is true while the others are not,” he added.

Remulla said he plans to meet with DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon and Commission on Audit Chairperson Famaliel Cordoba to discuss the process for opening the files.

Separately, the Ombudsman said he directed the National Bureau of Investigation to probe the spread of false information on social media claiming he had been hospitalized.

He said the disinformation has crossed into cyberlibel.

“I am having this investigated. Why? because we've reached the limit of cyberlibel already. Let's see where this goes,” Remulla said.

“I am asking the NBI to look into these allegations and scuttlebutt, where on social media did it originate,” he added.

Remulla said the continued circulation of false reports, despite his recent public appearances, suggests an orchestrated campaign.

“An idle mind is the devil's workshop. We cannot do anything if they are out seeking a story. I came out of my radio program last Saturday, but on Sunday, there was (news) again. So you see the bad faith,” he said.

“There's really an orchestrated campaign. I don't know for what purpose but I think it's part of the propaganda machine of some political parties,” he added.

Remulla assured the public that he remains fit to perform his duties, saying he “workout everyday, sleep early and wake up early.”