Senator Imee Marcos on Tuesday called on the Office of the Ombudsman to investigate top officials from the Department of Justice (DOJ), Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), and Philippine National Police (PNP) over the March 11 arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte.
In a presentation of supplemental findings from the Senate foreign relations committee’s investigation, Marcos named Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla, Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla, PNP chief Gen. Rommel Marbil, and CIDG chief Maj. Gen. Nicolas Torre III as subjects of the proposed inquiry.
She accused the officials of violations including arbitrary detention, grave misconduct, conduct prejudicial to the best interest of public service, and violations of Republic Acts 3019 and 7438, as well as the Revised Penal Code. Among the allegations were usurpation of judicial functions and the unauthorized denial of legal access to Duterte during his detention.
The senator also recommended a separate investigation into Special Envoy for Transnational Crimes Markus Lacanilao for alleged usurpation of official functions, perjury, and conduct prejudicial to public service.
Justice Secretary Remulla responded that he was willing to face any inquiry. “We welcome the development. We’re not afraid of that,” he told reporters. He maintained that all actions taken were based on best judgment and public interest.
Interior Secretary Remulla, said he welcomed due process and expressed confidence in defending himself if a probe proceeds. “I have nothing to hide,” he added.
PNP chief Marbil declined to comment pending a review of the report, while CIDG chief Torre has yet to issue a statement.
Marcos also said her committee’s findings concluded that Duterte’s arrest was politically motivated and part of a wider effort to discredit the Duterte family before the 2028 national elections. She claimed this was evident in a reported campaign plan presented during a Lakas-CMD gathering on April 22, which allegedly outlined “Oplan Horus”—an operation aimed at undermining the political standing of Duterte and his allies.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., in response to his sister’s claims, disagreed with her conclusion. “Everyone’s entitled to their opinion. I disagree,” the President said.
Marcos further alleged that soft programs and projects were used to secure votes for a possible impeachment case against Vice President Sara Duterte. She said she could not confirm whether the President was aware of or approved the alleged plan.
The senator also vowed to oppose any forthcoming arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court (ICC) targeting Vice President Duterte and several former police officials. She said reports suggested that a warrant for the Vice President could be issued soon, based on unverified sources.
Vice President Duterte, in a separate interview, confirmed that she was aware of her inclusion on a possible ICC list, noting that other figures such as Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa and former police chiefs Oscar Albayalde and Debold Sinas were named ahead of her.