Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla has directed 97 senior officials appointed during the final months of former Ombudsman Samuel Martires to submit their courtesy resignations as part of a sweeping reorganization at the Office of the Ombudsman.
In Office Order No. 347 issued on October 22, 2025, and obtained by Politiko, Remulla instructed all officials with Salary Grades 25 to 29, whose appointments were made between May 29 and July 27, 2025, the day Martires retired, to tender their resignations within seven days.
Remulla also encouraged officials with Salary Grades 24 and below to voluntarily file their resignations, although he clarified that doing so would not be mandatory.
The directive is part of his broader effort to review recent appointments and restore what he described as “proper vetting” within the agency.
The Ombudsman’s move follows his earlier announcement that 204 employees hired in July, just before Martires’ retirement, would be required to reapply for their posts or risk being tagged as “midnight appointees.”
“There were 204 new hires last July, and I will ask them to reapply because they are still within the six-month probationary period,” Remulla said. “I will ask them to reapply, lest they be treated as midnight appointees. This is done in good faith, and I hope they also act in good faith by reapplying or submitting courtesy resignations.”
Remulla explained that the reorganization is necessary to ensure that new hires and appointees meet the standards expected of the Ombudsman’s office.
“You don’t want to arrive in an office expecting vacant seats for your team, only to find them already filled. It shouldn’t work that way,” he said, referring to appointments made close to his predecessor’s retirement.
Asked about the positions of the 204 newly hired personnel, Remulla said they occupied “all kinds of positions” across the agency.
He added that his office is now coordinating with the Civil Service Commission (CSC) to evaluate each appointment.
“The Civil Service Commission has been very forthcoming and has expressed its willingness to assist us in reviewing these possible midnight appointments,” Remulla said, noting that the review is part of his administration’s commitment to transparency and institutional integrity.
