THE LEGAL team of Acting Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte has formally opposed the clearance granted to Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla by the Office of the Ombudsman.
Duterte’s camp filed a letter with the Ombudsman on September 24, 2025, arguing that the clearance should be blocked because a complaint they filed against Remulla and others is still unresolved.
The pending case stems from the alleged involvement in the transfer of former President Rodrigo Duterte to the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague, Netherlands.
The complaint names Secretary Remulla as one of the respondents. Duterte’s legal team stressed that with the case still pending, the Justice Secretary is ineligible to be cleared by the Ombudsman.
The issue has gained public attention as Secretary Remulla had recently and publicly stated that he had already received clearance from the Ombudsman, an important prerequisite as he is also known to be applying for the position of the next Ombudsman.
