MANILA, PHILIPPINES – The political landscape has been rocked by the appointment of Boying Remulla as the new Ombudsman, and now, a burning question is on everyone’s lips: will the new anti-corruption czar dare to do what his predecessor wouldn’t and pry open the long-hidden financial records of the powerful Duterte family? The public’s cry for transparency has reached a fever pitch, and all eyes are on Remulla to see if he will finally end years of secrecy surrounding the Dutertes’ wealth.

For years, the Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN) of former President Rodrigo Duterte has been shrouded in mystery. Under the previous Ombudsman, access to these crucial public documents was severely restricted, effectively shielding the wealth of the nation’s most powerful officials from public scrutiny. This unprecedented move sparked outrage and fueled suspicions, leaving the public in the dark about the true extent of the Duterte family’s assets.

But now, there’s a new sheriff in town, and he’s talking a different game. In a dramatic shift from his predecessor’s policy, Remulla has signaled a new era of openness. He has publicly stated that he will lift the strict restrictions on SALN access, promising to champion transparency and accountability. “People can expect transparency and a lot of action,” Remulla declared, sending a clear message that the days of hiding behind bureaucratic walls are over.

This bold promise has ignited a firestorm of speculation. With the door to financial transparency now ajar, will Remulla have the audacity to investigate the Dutertes, a family whose power and influence still loom large over the nation? The public is demanding to know. Will the bank accounts, properties, and business interests of both the former President and the current Vice President, Sara Duterte, finally be subjected to the rigorous scrutiny that the law demands?

Remulla has assured the public that he will be guided by “public sentiment” and that SALNs will no longer be “weaponized” for political harassment. However, he has also made it clear that if an investigation is warranted, he will not hesitate to act. “It can be done if it is an investigative report, if it is something that is being done by government agencies, it can be done,” he stated, offering a glimmer of hope to those who have long called for a full accounting of the Dutertes’ wealth.

The stage is set for a political showdown of epic proportions. Will the new Ombudsman make good on his promise of transparency and hold the powerful accountable, or will the secrets of the past remain buried? The nation is watching, waiting, and demanding the truth. The pressure is on, and the world is about to find out if this is the dawn of a new age of accountability or just another chapter in the long and sordid story of political power plays. What do you think will happen next? The fate of the nation’s trust hangs in the balance.