Ombudsman Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla revealed on Friday that he had previously suffered from leukemia, blood cancer, in 2023.

In an interview with retired journalist Luchi Cruz-Valdes, the anti-graft chief said that the diagnosis had followed a quintuple heart bypass.

“Noong 2023, na-diagnose ako sa puso, na kailangan ko ng bypass. So nagpa-opera ako, nagkaroon ako ng quintuple bypass, open heart… At nung pagaling na ‘ko, ay na-diagnose naman ako ng cancer. Leukemia, cancer ng dugo. At dito’y ginamot rin ako,” Remulla said.

He underwent two cycles of chemotherapy, total body radiation, and then a bone marrow transplant. His son, a full human leukocyte antigens (HLA) match, was his donor.

“Ang bone marrow transplant, pag wala ka nang white blood cells, lalagyan ka ng stem cell ng donor para magkaroon ka ng bagong bone marrow, para palitan ‘yung bone marrow. ‘Yun ang pinaka-factory ng dugo. Kaya ang dugo ko ngayon, ay hindi na ‘yung dati kong dugo. Ito’y dugo na galing sa aking anak,” he said.

Before treatment, Remulla experienced dizziness, fatigue, and persistent nosebleeds. He has recovered and his prognosis appears favorable.

When asked whether, at the time, he thought it was his time to go, the controversial Ombudsman said he refused to think about his condition in that way, instead choosing to take on one day at a time.

“I refuse to think of it that way. Kasi nga, ang tingin ko lang, tomorrow is another day. Get through the night. Mapalipas mo lang ang gabi, pag gising mo sa umaga, isang araw na naman ‘yung na bigay sa’yo. It’s natural. Just live by the day,” he told Cruz-Valdes.

In 2023, Remulla took a wellness leave from the Department of Justice (DOJ) for 10 days, citing “personal reasons.” He later said that he had undergone bypass surgery.