Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla marked the 38th anniversary of his office by reminding Filipinos that hope remains in the Philippines despite ongoing crises.
The celebration included a mass presided over by Fr. Flaviano Villanueva, who described the ombudsman as a steadfast conscience of the country. He said the office must preserve moral courage within governance and not only investigate wrongdoings.
Remulla noted that working at the Office of the Ombudsman requires moral courage, integrity and grit to stamp out corruption and do what is right and just. Former overall deputy ombudsman Melchor Carandang attended the event.
The Supreme Court Third Division had earlier overturned Carandang’s dismissal under the Duterte administration and nullified a 2018 ruling that found him liable for disclosing alleged bank transactions of former president Rodrigo Duterte.