Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa has raised questions over newly appointed Ombudsman Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla’s plan to prioritize the investigation into Vice President Sara Duterte’s confidential funds.
Remulla, who was appointed by President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on October 7, announced during a press briefing that the Office of the Ombudsman would revisit the reports related to the Vice President’s confidential funds.
“Actually, nandyan naman na sa Ombudsman ang mga report na ‘yan at bubuklatin natin. Pag-aaralan at tatanungin natin ‘yong may mga hawak do’n ngayon at ‘yong may tungkulin na hawakan ‘yong kasong ‘yon bago tayo dumating,” Remulla said.
In an interview with True FM on Wednesday, October 8, dela Rosa said he found the Ombudsman’s priorities questionable.
“Wala tayong problema d’yan dahil prerogative man ‘yan ng pangulo kung sino ang pipiliin niya among the shortlisted candidates. Pero ang nakikita kong problema, bakit sa dami-daming problema ng Pilipinas ngayon patungkol dito sa… dahil d’yan sa flood-control projects,” dela Rosa stated.
He went on to question why Remulla would focus first on the Vice President instead of the ongoing issues surrounding flood control projects.
“Bakit ang first order of the day niya ay nakatutok kaagad sa pag-iimbestiga kay VP Sara Duterte?” he asked.
He added that Remulla should instead prioritize the alleged irregularities in flood-control projects.
“Sa dinami-dami ng problema, bakit ‘yon agad ang tututukan niya ng pansin. ‘Yong 125 million confidential funds[…] bakit hindi niya tutukan iyong flood control projects? Andami nito, dapat dito siya magtutok,” he said.
The Presidential Communications Office (PCO) confirmed Remulla’s appointment through an official statement, citing his long experience as a lawmaker, governor, and lawyer as factors in his selection to replace former Ombudsman Samuel Martires, whose term ended in July 2025.