If it’s up to Vice President Sara Duterte, she wouldn’t have chosen newly installed Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla as Ombudsman.

She said this on Saturday, Oct. 11, on a media interview at the sidelines of her visit to Mati City, Davao Oriental, which was rocked by a magnitude 7.4-magnitude earthquake yesterday.

“Kung ako presidente, hindi siya ang ia-appoint ko na Ombudsman (If I am the president, I wouldn’t appoint him as Ombudsman),” she stressed.

Remulla, who was instrumental in the arrest of former president Rodrigo Duterte in March and his extradition to The Hague, Netherlands to be detained by the International Criminal Court (ICC), formally began his duties as Ombudsman on Friday, Oct. 10.

The former justice secretary said he would issue a new memorandum this week allowing access to the Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth of public officials, including that of President Marcos and Duterte.

This move was contrary to the 2020 memo issued by his predecessor, former ombudsman Samuel Martires, who restricted the public’s access to SALNs by requiring the consent of the SALN owner before it can be disclosed.

Duterte challenged Remulla to study the SALN and do whatever he wants with it.

“Diyos ko. Huwag na niya silipin. Ilagay na niya sa harap niya at pag-aralan na niya ng maayos kung ano man yung gusto niyang gawin (My God. Don’t look at it. Put it in front of him and do what he wants to do with it),” she said.

“Ipagpasa-Diyos na lang natin siya at ang kanyang mga gagawin bilang Ombudsman (I will leave it up to God and whatever he will do as Ombudsman),” she added.

Republic Act 6713 or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees mandates that SALNs must be made available for inspection and for copying.

While the Vice President was vocal in his criticism of Remulla’s appointment, she declined to comment on the ICC’s decision to reject her father’s interim release bid, the budget cut for the Office of the Vice President (OVP), and the former president’s current well-being.

Duterte said she was in Mati City to visit some acquaintances and also to express solidarity with the earthquake victims, especially those who have lost their loved ones.

In fact, the Vice President facilitated help for one victim who was originally from Davao City and needed to bring the remains back home.

The official said she herself experienced the earthquake in Davao City and the aftershocks in Cebu City, urging the public to maintain their presence of mind and to have a “go bag” which will contain the things necessary in case there would be a need for an evacuation.

“Sa mga kababayan namin na apektado ng malakas na paglindol…Napakahalaga talaga, ulitin ko, na yung presence of mind kapag nandiyan nangyayari na yung lindol. Huwag natin kalimutan yung mga itinuro sa atin ng ating mga disaster councils (To my fellowmen affected by the strong earthquake… I will repeat, presence of mind is very important when the earthquake happens. Let’s not forget what were taught to us by the disaster councils),” she said.

“At napakahalaga rin ang ating Go Bag na nandyan sa labas ng pinto o nasa labas ng bahay para paglikas natin ay mahila - mabira nato siya dayon, madala nato (A Go Bag is also very important to be near your doors so that if we need to evacuate, we can bring it with us),” she added.