PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s recent reshuffling of key government posts signals a renewed commitment to integrity, competence, and continuity in public service. The appointments of Ombudsman Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla, DOE Assistant Secretary Maria Lethel Alburo-Mejia, and DOJ Spokesperson Raphael Niccolo Martinez bring a rare blend of experience, energy, and moral clarity– qualities governance sorely needs today.
Ombudsman Boying Remulla
The selection of former Justice Secretary Remulla as Ombudsman marks a defining moment in the fight against corruption. With a seven-year mandate, he wields the authority to investigate any illegal, unjust, or inefficient act or omission by public officials.
On day one, he prioritized the flood-control corruption scandal, vowing to accelerate case buildup and prosecution. He also reversed his predecessor’s restrictive access to Statements of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALNs), restoring disclosure while safeguarding personal privacy, and revived lifestyle checks—clear signals that transparency and accountability will be front and center.
I saw his resolve firsthand while serving as Chief of Staff at the Presidential Task Force on Media Security. Under Remulla’s leadership at the DOJ, authorities achieved breakthroughs in the media-killing cases of Cresenciano Bundoquin (2023) and Juan Jumalon (2024), leading swiftly to arrests and prosecution.
Though critics—including Senator Imee Marcos—have called him “tainted with injustice,” the real test is ahead: demonstrating independence and integrity amid political pressure. For now and hereon, the Office of the Ombudsman is in steady hands.
DOE Assistant Secretary Maria Lethel Alburo-Mejia
A Senior Partner at Puno Law Offices and one of the country’s foremost energy-law authorities, Alburo-Mejia’s appointment as Chief of Staff to Energy Secretary Sharon Garin is substance over spectacle.
Her deep experience in renewable-energy projects and regulatory compliance equips the Department of Energy with the technical and policy depth needed to advance energy security and sustainability.
Having trained under her as a young associate at Puno Law, I can attest to her intellectual rigor, precision, and mastery of complex legal frameworks. She is both strategist and visionary; alive to the intersection of law, public welfare, and national development.
With her in the DOE, the country gains an advocate for cleaner, more affordable, and forward-looking power solutions. These are precisely the leaders the bureaucracy must cultivate: brilliant, ethical, and future-oriented.
DOJ Spokesperson Raphael Niccolo Martinez
After the effective tenure of Atty. Mico Clavano, Atty. Raphael Niccolo Martinez, another Atenean, steps in as DOJ Spokesperson, bringing continuity and fresh perspective to the department’s public communications.
A Prosecution Attorney under the DOJ and former associate at a top-tier law firm, Martinez has hands-on litigation experience—an invaluable asset for a department constantly under public scrutiny.
His edge is not only skill but youth. Representing a new generation of public lawyers, he embodies energy, adaptability, and clarity of thought. As a top mooter from Ateneo Law School, he honed the discipline and articulation needed to explain complex legal issues with precision and conviction.
In an era where perception shapes trust, a young, articulate spokesperson can bridge the gap between bureaucracy and the public, keeping the DOJ’s voice clear, credible, and consistent.
These appointments point to a quiet but powerful trend: the return of professional merit to public office.
Remulla’s experience, Alburo-Mejia’s expertise, and Martinez’s youthful dynamism form a new wave of leadership anchored in competence and conscience.