Ombudsman Boying Remulla diagnosed with leukemia after undergoing bypass surgery

Newly appointed Ombudsman Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla opened up about his previous battle with leukemia.

In an interview with journalist Luchi Cruz-Valdez on her YouTube channel, Remulla was asked about his health status after he underwent a quintuple bypass surgery in 2023. 

"Noong 2023, na-diagnose ako sa puso, na kailangan ko ng bypass. So nagpa-opera ako, nagkaroon ako ng quintuple bypass. At nung pagaling na ako ay na-diagnose naman ako ng cancer. Leukemia," he said.

The Ombudsman recalled experiencing dizziness, lethargy, and frequent nosebleeds.

Remulla was subsequently treated at St. Luke’s Hospital in Bonifacio Global City and had to go through several medical procedures for his condition, including two cycles of chemotherapy and full-body radiation.

He also had to undergo a bone marrow transplant, and the donor was his own son.

"Ang bone marrow transplant, kapag wala ka nang white blood cells, lalagyan ka ng stem cell ng donor para magkaroon ka ng bagong bone marrow," he explained.

"'Yan ang pinaka-factory ng dugo, kaya ang dugo ko ngayon ay hindi na 'yung dati kong dugo. Ito 'yung dugo na galing sa aking anak. Full match kami, kaya naka-recover ako at bukang maganda naman ang prognosis," he added.

Remulla shared that he believes he still has a lot to live for.

"[Tingin] ko lang, tomorrow is another day. Get through the night. Mapalipas mo lang ang gabi, pagising mo sa umaga isang araw na naman 'yun, nabigay sa'yo. Just live by the day," he stressed.

Remulla cancer-free for over a year now

In a statement released on Oct. 26, the Office of the Ombusman clarified that Remulla has been cancer-free for more than a year now.

"Ang Ombudsman ay nasa mabuting kalusugan at patuloy na ginagampanan ang kanyang tungkulin nang buong sigla at dedikasyon," it said. "Ang Ombudsman ay malaya na sa kanser at malaya na sa loob ng isa't kalahating taon."

Remulla's office shared that he has been living an active lifestyle to maintain his health.

"Ang kanyang kumakailang pahayag tungkol sa kanyang kalusugan ay nasa past tense, dahil tumutukoy ito sa kanyang karanasan bago pa siya maupo bilang Ombudsman," it stressed.

His office assured the public that he is determined to fulfill his duties as the new Ombudsman.

"Tinitiyak namin sa publiko na determinado ang Ombudsman na panagutin ang mga responsable sa isyung ito ng flood control—at higit pa siyang nasa mabuting kalagayan upang gawin iyon," it said. "Ang kanyang pangalawang pagkakataon sa buhay ay nagbigay sa kanya ng determinasyon at paninindigang wala na siyang dapat ikatakot o ipagliban."

Remulla served as the Secretary of Justice before President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. appointed him as Ombudsman on Oct. 7. He took the place of Hon. Samuel Martires, whose term ended in late July.

According to the 1987 Constitution, the Ombudsman heads the constitutional body that focuses on cases filed against government officials and "enforces their administrative, civil and criminal liability in every case where the evidence warrants in order to promote efficient service by the government to the people." Such include grave offenses and complaints involving huge amounts of money and/or properties.

Remulla will serve a seven-year term, which will expire in 2032.