Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla said it is time to address the “elephant in the room” and closely examine the judiciary, as he lamented court rulings reversing the findings of his office and the long time it takes to resolve cases.
Remulla said reforms in the courts are needed to ensure the proper delivery of justice.
“It’s something that has to be dealt with face to face by our people and by legislators, by all of us. It’s the biggest elephant in the room for this country. The judiciary has to be examined closely by everybody in government and they themselves should go on a soul-searching so that we can be a better country,” he said at the Senate hearing for the Office of the Ombudsman’s budget.
He said that the judiciary had never been touched during the EDSA upheavals in the country that had led to a push for reforms.
“Never has the judiciary accounted for everything that they’ve been doing. It is something that we have to examine as a country,” he said.
He made the statements as he lamented that a number of the Office of the Ombudsman’s rulings dismissing erring officials from public service have been reversed by the Court of Appeals.
“Institutionally, it’s very discouraging to be conducting all of these activities only to be reversed by the Court of Appeals decision that came out of nowhere. I mean, sometimes we feel that way,” he said.
He also said foreign investments are affected by problems in the judiciary because when businessmen come in, a monkey wrench can be thrown into their plans through the filing of a case, which takes years to resolve.
“This is something that has to be addressed also by the senior members of the Supreme Court, about how fast can justice roll. It’s actually a problem that has been there for the longest time, but it has to be said openly,” he said.
He said he is speaking up about this because he has no aspirations and wants to finish his job as Ombudsman, he added.
“If we’re able to cure our justice system and make it function properly, we will be a much better country,” he added.
Remulla said he has brought his concerns to Supreme Court Senior Associate Justice Marvic Leonen, his law school classmate, who had at times cautioned him about speaking out.
“But it has to be said. We cannot hold this back anymore. I mean, how many times do you have in your life to serve as Ombudsman and give your critique of what’s happening in society? Because it is a role that was given to us,” he said.
He said he has probably distressed the Chief Justice many times with his remarks, but it has to be done, he added.