Ombudsman Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla has rejected calls for him to inhibit from the preliminary investigation into the flood control scandal involving former House Speaker Martin Romualdez, saying the office has a constitutional duty to pursue corruption cases.

Remulla told DZRH’s Executive Session that the Ombudsman cannot step aside from its mandate as the state’s anti-graft watchdog.

“There is no such thing as inhibition,” Remulla said, adding that the Ombudsman serves as the “tanod-bayan” or protector of the people.

“Kami ang bantay ng bayan para ang mga corruption ay mabantayan at mga abuso, mga kapangyarihan ay maawat natin at matigil natin at maparusahan,” he said.

Eh paano natin mapaparusahan yan kung mag-iinhibit ka? Eh duty mo yan eh. Yan ay katungkulan po namin sa saligang batas,” Remulla added.

The statement comes after Romualdez’s camp asked the Ombudsman to recuse itself from handling the preliminary investigation linked to the alleged flood control controversy, citing concerns over fairness in the proceedings.

Remulla rejected the argument, saying the Ombudsman’s role is to investigate and prosecute corruption cases on behalf of the public.

He also noted that while courts may consider inhibition in judicial proceedings, the same principle does not apply to the Ombudsman’s prosecutorial function.

Remulla further said the office may delegate certain functions to the Department of Justice when necessary, but maintained that its core mandate remains non-delegable.

Addressing a lawyer who raised the possibility of inhibition, Remulla said: “Sabi ko sa abogadong nagsasabi nyan, baka absent ka nung tinuturo yan, go back to law school.”

The Ombudsman has yet to issue a formal ruling on the request filed by Romualdez’s camp.