Former senator Antonio Trillanes IV has raised doubts over the loyalty of Ombudsman Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla and Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla to the Marcos administration, alleging a pattern in the handling of cases involving former president Rodrigo Duterte’s camp.
In an interview on One News’ Storycon, Trillanes claimed that cases involving Duterte allies have remained dormant at the Office of the Ombudsman, citing as an example the P6.6-billion plunder complaint he filed against Sen. Bong Go over alleged conflicts of interest involving government projects awarded to a construction firm linked to Go’s family.
Trillanes also questioned the Ombudsman’s decision to use former DPWH Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo as a state witness in cases involving flood control projects.
He argued that the alleged irregularities began in 2017, during the Duterte administration, but investigators allegedly focused only on transactions from 2022 onward, creating the impression that the issue was confined to the current administration.
The former senator said complaints against Vice President Sara Duterte and former Ilocos Sur Gov. Chavit Singson also remain unresolved.
He challenged the Ombudsman to act on pending cases to dispel allegations that complaints are being deliberately stalled within the anti-graft body.
Trillanes further criticized the use of members of the so-called “Maleta Boys” as witnesses, despite some of their previous claims having been publicly disputed and recanted.
He also questioned the actions of both Remulla brothers concerning Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, alleging that official moves had benefited figures linked to the Duterte camp.
“Hindi pa ba nagtataka sa loyalty ng magkapatid na ito?” Trillanes said, claiming that actions taken by the two officials have largely targeted the current administration rather than Duterte allies.
The Ombudsman and the Department of the Interior and Local Government have yet to issue statements on Trillanes’ allegations. # (RRN)
