OMBUDSMAN Jesus Crispin Remulla has shared a deeply personal account of his health struggles, revealing a leukemia diagnosis that followed a quintuple bypass heart surgery in 2023. The revelation sheds light on the resilience and family support that aided his recovery.
In an interview with journalist Luchi Cruz-Valdez, Remulla opened up about the challenges he faced while serving as the Secretary of the Department of Justice. “In 2023, I was diagnosed with a heart condition that required bypass surgery… when I was recovering, I was diagnosed with cancer — leukemia,” Remulla disclosed.
Following the quintuple bypass, meant to treat blocked arteries, Remulla faced another daunting diagnosis: leukemia, a cancer characterized by an abnormally high number of white blood cells.
Remulla underwent an intensive treatment regimen, including chemotherapy, total body radiation, and a bone marrow transplant. Crucially, his son served as his bone marrow donor, providing a lifesaving match. “My blood now is not my old blood. It is blood from my son… that’s how I recovered, and the prognosis looks good,” Remulla shared, emphasizing the profound impact of his son’s donation.
This marks the first time Remulla has publicly discussed his battle with leukemia. His 10-day wellness leave from the DOJ in 2023, initially attributed to “personal reasons,” was later revealed to be for bypass surgery. Remulla’s story highlights not only his personal fight for health but also the critical role of family in overcoming adversity.
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