
JUSTICE Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla is among seven applicants shortlisted for the position of Ombudsman, the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) has announced. The JBC considered a total of seventeen applicants for the post but ultimately narrowed the list down to seven individuals.
Aside from Remulla, the other shortlisted candidates are Anna Liza Logan, Michael Frederick Musngi, Michael Aguinaldo, Samuel Gaerlan, Mario Lopez, and Stephen Cruz. The JBC’s letter, dated October 6, 2025, containing the list of shortlisted names was addressed to President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. and signed by Acting Chief Justice Marvic Leonen. The Office of the President received the letter on the same day.
The JBC members who signed the letter include Jose Catral Mendoza, Erlinda Uy, Francis Pangilinan, Gerville Luistro, Nesauro Firme, and Jose Mejia. It was noted that Remulla, as an ex-officio member of the JBC in his capacity as Justice Secretary, played “no part” in the deliberations concerning the Ombudsman selection.