MANILA — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Tuesday appointed Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla as the new Ombudsman, charging him with restoring credibility to the Office of the Ombudsman and spearheading anti-graft efforts. His nomination emerged after the retirement of Samuel Martires in July, opening the seven-year fixed term for the vital watchdog post.

In his first remarks, Remulla vowed transparency, accountability, and efficiency, promising that there would be “no sacred cows, no exemptions, and no excuses” for public officials who betray public trust. He also committed to expedite corruption cases in his new office. Addressing concerns of potential politicization, Remulla insisted that the law “will not be weaponized” and pledged impartiality in handling investigations.

Remulla faces immediate pressure to lead investigations into the sprawling flood-control corruption scandal that has engulfed key infrastructure agencies.He declared that he will prioritize sorting out the “firestorm” of anomalies tied to flood works contracts before fully assuming his duties.

The flood scandal has already triggered explosive testimonies in congressional inquiries, with contractors and engineers alleging that legislators and Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) officials orchestrated multi-billion-peso kickback schemes. Accusations target dozens of lawmakers, senators, and DPWH personnel, prompting public outrage and the resignation of senior officials.

While some legal observers raised doubts about Remulla’s independence, noting his close ties to the administration, Malacañang defended the selection, citing his rigorous vetting by the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) and stressing that the President remained committed to a “Bagong Pilipinas” anchored in rule of law. Remulla succeeds Martires, who faced criticism for limitations in conviction rates and curbing public access to official wealth statements.

As Remulla steps into his new post, the urgency of restoring public trust is overshadowed by the magnitude of the corruption allegations he must now confront. The expectations are steep: he must translate bold promises into decisive action amid intense scrutiny of flood-control funds mismanagement and pervasive graft.