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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Puno takes swipe at former Ombudsman; says Remulla's 'high credibility' softens blow of ICI exit

Puno takes swipe at former Ombudsman; says Remulla's 'high credibility' softens blow of ICI exit

Published Jan 16, 2026 06:16 pm

At A Glance

  • Deputy Speaker Antipolo City 1st district Rep. Ronaldo "Ronnie" Puno has no problem with the proposed abolition of the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI), mainly because of his high regard for Ombudsman Jesus Crispin "Boying" Remula.
Ombudsman Jesus Crispin "Boying" Remula (MANILA BULLETIN)
Ombudsman Jesus Crispin "Boying" Remula (MANILA BULLETIN)


Deputy Speaker Antipolo City 1st district Rep. Ronaldo "Ronnie" Puno has no problem with the proposed abolition of the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI), mainly because of his high regard for Ombudsman Jesus Crispin "Boying" Remula.
In a virtual press conference Friday, Jan. 16, Puno underscored that doing away with the ICI was OK because the Ombudsman--the body that would take full control of the probe on the flood control projects corruption scandal--has "high credibility" under Remula, unlike in the past.
"Ako personal ko, tingin ko oo [dapat mag-close shop na ang ICI] (Me, personally, I think yes, it's time for the ICI to close shop)," Puno said in response to a reporter's question.
"Kasi alam mo yung Ombudsman ngayon--dati kasi, yung Ombudsman natin pinaghihinalaan ng kung anu-ano, ano?--tapos mayroong mga kontrobersyal na desisyon, tulad yung wag buksan yung mga SALN (statement of assets, liabilities, and net worth)," he said.
(You see, in the past, the Ombudsman was suspected of various things, with controversial decisions such as refusing to open the SALNs.)
"Yung ating Ombudsman ngayon, sa tingin ko ang credibility mataas (But our current Ombudsman, in my view, has high credibility)," the Antipolo solon said of Remulla.
He didn't mention the name of the former Ombudsman that he was alluding to.
The existence of the ICI has been peculiar since it was created by Malacañang last year for the purpose of investigating the flood control projects mess. Observers pointed out that it duplicated the task of the Ombudsman, and in an inferior manner at that, since it was merely a recommendatory body.
Puno said this "concurrent jurisdiction" on the issue created confusion.
"Yung finding nung isa, hindi maging pareho dun sa kabila. Magkakaroon ng question pa. Samantalang sa ating Saligang Batas, isa lang naman ang tinuturo na tagapagbantay ng mgq ganyang klaseng problema, at yun ang Ombudsman," he explained.
(The findings of one may not align with the other, raising further questions. Whereas in our Constitution, only one institution is designated to safeguard against such problems, and that is the Ombudsman.)
Puno said it would be better to stick to what the Constitution indicated. After all, the ICI has done its job to investigate the anomalous flood control projects and has submitted its findings to the Ombudsman.
The ranking solon has described Remulla as someone who doesn't back down.
"Eh di yung Ombudsman na lang para isa na lang talaga ang either gagawa ng tama or pupuntahan natin pag sa tingin dapat may mas magandang gawin (So let’s leave it to the Ombudsman alone, whether to do what is right or to decide if something better should be done).
"At least isa lang yung responsableng authority dyan. Kasi kami, syempre buo ang tiwala namin kay Ombudsman Remulla. Nakita natin, matapang yung tao, talagang hindi umaatras yan. So tingin ko pabayaan na natin dun muna," Puno said.
(At least there is only one responsible authority. And for us, we have full trust in Ombudsman Remulla. We’ve seen that he is courageous and never backs down. So I think we should leave it with him for now.)
Remulla is a former Cavite congressman and Department of Justice secretary.
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