In an interview on DZRH’s Magandang Umaga Pilipinas, Atty. Israelito Torreon described as “very interesting and shocking” the series of events following the initial filing of criminal complaints by members of the Duterte family against high-ranking government officials.

“If you remember, the members of the Duterte family, through Mayor Baste on September 15, filed 9 counts of criminal cases and 9 kinds of criminal cases — 14 counts lahat-lahat — before the Office of the Ombudsman here in Davao City. Kasi taga-dito naman sila, pwede naman 'yun i-file dito,” Terreon said.

He explained that the complaints were filed against Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla, DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla, and other senior officials.

However, Terreon noted that on the next day, Acting Ombudsman Dante Vargas filed to undocket the criminal complaint and transmit the recorded cases to Manila.

He added that Vargas seemed to have realized—“through the reply of Deputy Ombudsman Law”—that there was an existing memorandum order issued by then-Ombudsman Samuel Martires on May 5, 2025, directing the twin docketing of administrative and undocketed cases.

“Pagka-[September] 17, nag-issue siya ng dalawang office orders suspending the implementation of the May 5, 2025 order. Yung nangyari roon justified na bakit niya pina-undocket yung kaso na na-file namin,” Terreon said.

The problem, he pointed out, was that the complaint was filed on September 16, while the suspension order was issued on September 17. “

Allegedly, mayroong 10 days pala na retroactivity — pinaparetroactive niya yung effectivity ng kaniyang office order ng 10 days,” he said.

Terreon then posed two critical legal questions:

“Ang first question doon: can an acting ombudsman supercede, issue an order that will supercede a memorandum order of a full Ombudsman? Kasi si Ombudsman Martires, he really went through the process. Pero yung kaniyang memorandum order pinasuspend lang ng isang acting ombudsman.”

“Pangalawa, mayroon pang office order na may retroactive effect. Ang problema niyan, selective pa. Sa aming tingin, hindi talaga pwede ang office order na magsupercede ng isang memorandum order at pabalik yung effectivity.”

According to Terreon, these developments raise serious concerns about the authority of an acting ombudsman and the validity of retroactive administrative actions. He said the Duterte family’s camp is now reviewing possible legal remedies regarding the handling of their complaint.