Political strategist Lito Banayo floated the possibility of a Supreme Court appointment for Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla, citing “reliable sources” who said he could be considered for a seat in the highest court.
In his newspaper column, Banayo said his sources told him that Remulla could be appointed to the Supreme Court when Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo retires in November.
Banayo, a former government official, mentioned this while questioning when Remulla would act on Marcos administration officials who have been implicated in the flood control controversy, including former Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman, former Palace executive Adrian Bersamin, and former Education Undersecretary Trygve Olaivar.
Banayo said it appears that “this government wants the public to forget they ever existed.”
“So when will our honorable Ombudsman, the courageous Boying, let it all hang out? Or will the ball of justice just be dribbled until he is appointed to the Supreme Court, as reliable sources tell us, when my townmate Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo retires come November?” Banayo said in his August 31 column.
Remulla was appointed Ombudsman in October 2025, after serving as justice secretary. He has a fixed seven-year term as Ombudsman.
Last week, Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano said the office is still in the process of gathering evidence against former Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, Adrian Bersamin, and Olaivar.
The office has also said that Pangandaman remains under investigation.
The Supreme Court is set to have two vacancies in November with the impending retirements of Gesmundo on November 6 and of Associate Justice Amy Lazaro-Javier on November 16.
The Judicial and Bar Council has opened the application process for their replacements.