Ombudsman dismisses cases vs Remulla on Duterte ICC handover

The Office of the Ombudsman has dismissed administrative and criminal cases against Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla concerning the government's handover of former President Rodrigo Duterte to the International Criminal Court.

Senator Imee Marcos had filed the complaint accusing Remulla and others of graft, usurpation of authority, and arbitrary detention.

Marcos confirmed the dismissal but has filed a motion for reconsideration, asserting that her filing was within the prescribed period after the decision was rendered.

She stated that she might elevate the case to the Supreme Court if her motion for reconsideration is dismissed.

Mayor Sebastian "Baste" Duterte has also filed new criminal and administrative complaints, including charges of kidnapping and arbitrary detention, against Remulla and six other officials over the same matter.

Remulla dismissed these new complaints as an "organized" political move aimed at undermining his bid to become the next ombudsman, and stated that the case constitutes forum shopping as it is already pending before the Supreme Court.

The dismissal of the initial cases was "without prejudice," meaning they can still be refiled.