Ombudsman says prosecutor should have checked Lustre’s address
Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla takes his oath as the new Ombudsman before Supreme Court Associate Justice Marvic Leonen in Manila on Wednesday, October 9, 2025. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News MANILA — Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla said the Department of Justice should investigate the circumstances surrounding the arrest warrant issued by a Davao City Regional Trial Court against journalist Philip Lustre.
Remulla noted that the issue could have stemmed from the wrong address given by the complainant to the prosecutor who handled the cyber libel case of Lustre.
“May modus kasi iyan, iyong mga nagfa-file ng kaso nagbibigay ng wrong address sa prosecutor and sometimes the prosecutor just has to rely on the complainant for much of the information, dapat hindi nangyayari iyan, it should not happen,” Remulla said.
Remulla stressed due diligence could have been done by the handling prosecutor.
“Kasi may ano rin ang prosecutor na mag-due diligence, meron din silang duty na mag-conduct ng due diligence. Definitely hindi niya natanggap iyong papeles, it was submitted for resolution, nai-isyuhan ng warrant of arrest without the person knowing, mali iyon,” Remulla said.
Remulla said the DOJ should make sure that the incident will not happen again.
“Kailangan ma-imbestigahan ng DOJ iyan kung ano ang nangyari, bakit hindi dumating ano nangyari sa subpoena ano nangyari sa documents na pinadala sa respondent, accused ngayon,” Remulla said.