MANILA, Philippines — The newly appointed Philippine Ombudsman, Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla, has candidly disclosed his harrowing health battle, revealing that he was diagnosed with a form of blood cancer just as he was beginning to recover from a major heart operation. The revelation, made during an interview with journalist Luchi Cruz-Valdez on October 24, 2025, details the severe medical challenges faced by the public official before he assumed his current post.
Remulla recounted the moment doctors discovered the cancer following a critical cardiac procedure. “I went through a quintuple bypass, open-heart surgery,” he shared. “Just as I was starting to get better, I received a cancer diagnosis.” The diagnosis of leukemia was an unexpected and serious complication that emerged after his June 2023 bypass surgery, which he underwent after doctors found significant blockages in his heart.
The former Cavite representative, who later served as Secretary of Justice before his appointment as Ombudsman on October 7, 2025, had previously alluded to these difficulties. In February 2024, he publicly admitted to experiencing “complications” following the bypass surgery, a time when he had taken a wellness leave from public duties. His recent disclosure finally confirms the gravity of the hidden health crisis he was facing.
A Son’s Gift: The Bone Marrow Transplant That Saved His Life
Ombudsman Remulla’s recovery journey involved aggressive medical intervention, including a crucial bone marrow transplant and intensive chemotherapy. The most moving detail of his recovery involves his own son, who served as the life-saving donor.
The successful transplant means a fundamental biological change for the Ombudsman, a fact he reflected upon with deep emotion. “So my blood now is no longer my own blood. This is the blood that came from my son,” he stated, acknowledging the incredible, self-sacrificing gift that allowed him to overcome the disease.
This profound act underscores the importance of family support during a health crisis and highlights a deeply personal dimension to a figure often associated with the high-stakes world of politics and anti-graft investigations. His body now literally carries the strength and vitality of the next generation.
Implications for the Ombudsman’s Role
Remulla’s survival and subsequent appointment to one of the most demanding and critical anti-corruption positions in the Philippines are testament to his resilience and determination. The office of the Ombudsman requires intense focus, stamina, and commitment, qualities Remulla now brings to the table after battling—and defeating—a dual health threat of severe heart disease and cancer.
His tenure is thus framed by a powerful personal narrative: an individual who has faced mortality head-on and emerged with renewed life, ready to tackle the fight against corruption. The public service he provides now is underpinned by a profound gratitude and a sense of duty, having been given a literal second chance at life through the sacrifice of his own family.
The revelation of his health struggles serves to humanize the often-stoic figure of a high-ranking official, reminding the public of the personal battles fought behind the scenes of public life.