Caloocan City Rep. Edgar Erice claimed that Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla was appointed to protect President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., alleging that the Office of the Ombudsman is being used to advance the administration’s political interests.
In an interview, Erice questioned the Ombudsman’s priorities, saying critics of the administration appear to face swift legal action while those allegedly involved in budget and infrastructure irregularities remain free.
“Si Ombudsman Remulla, I think he was appointed by the President to protect the President,” Erice said.
He also alleged that the Office of the Ombudsman was being “weaponized” against political opponents while those allegedly responsible for manipulating the national budget and infrastructure projects have yet to be held accountable.
Erice likewise expressed skepticism that former House Speaker Martin Romualdez would eventually be jailed over the alleged flood control scandal.
“I don’t believe he will be imprisoned. Why? Because Speaker Martin said, ‘I will not go down alone,'” he said.
During his fifth State of the Nation Address on Monday, President Marcos announced that the Office of the Ombudsman was preparing to file multiple cases against Romualdez in connection with the alleged flood control anomalies.
As of posting, neither Malacañang nor the Office of the Ombudsman has publicly responded to Erice’s remarks.
