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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Ombudsman Remulla admits meeting ICC reps in his Makati City residence

Ombudsman Remulla admits meeting ICC reps in his Makati City residence

Published Mar 2, 2026 04:12 pm
Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla admitted he met with personnel of the International Criminal Court (ICC) in his house in Makati City in 2025.
But Remulla, who was then secretary of the Department of Justice (DOJ), could not remember the exact date of the meeting.
During an interview with GMA News on Monday, March 2, Remulla said the meeting took place “maybe less than a year ago.”
He said it was former senator Antonio Trillanes who introduced him to the two ICC personnel and they discussed the protection for witnesses in the ICC case that was filed against former president Rodrigo Duterte.
“We had an agreement that the witnesses should be protected,” Remulla said.
When asked about the propriety of the meeting, Remulla answered: "Bakit hindi? (Why not?)."
He said the witnesses are Filipinos, and his priority was to keep them safe. "Ang nakasalalay dito buhay ng mga testigo (At stake here are the lives of the witnesses)," he also said.
Remulla’s meeting with ICC personnel was part of the affidavit submitted by the 18 former marines who claimed that they delivered about P805 billion to over 30 government officials, including President Marcos and former House speaker Martin Romualdez.
But while the report about the meeting at his house is true, Remulla said that his office still has to check the veracity of the other claims.
He said his office plans to ask the former marines' lawyer, Levi Baligod, to have his clients submit 18 different affidavits to get a better picture of their claims.
"Pinag-tagpi-tagpi kasi ang kuwento ng isa't isa, (They patched their stories together)," he said as he pointed out “that was wrong.”
"Their allegations are serious. I want to get the affidavits of each one of them," he also said.
In an earlier, interview after the submission of the affidavits of the 18 former marines, Baligod said those named in the affidavits could be charged with violations of Republic Act No. 3019, the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, and RA 6713, the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees.
Baligod also said that charges of malversation of public funds and bribery can also be filed.
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