NBI ready to probe Remulla death rumors

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January 12, 2026 | 12:00am

MANILA, Philippines — The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) is prepared to find out who spread the claim that Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla was hospitalized during the holidays and eventually died.

Remulla instructed the NBI on Thursday to investigate the personalities behind what he called an “orchestrated campaign” to spread rumors about his health, arguing that the posts have already “reached the limit of cyberlibel.”

“The NBI stands ready to serve and respond to requests for assistance from all government agencies,” acting NBI Director Angelito Magno said in a statement yesterday.

“In particular, the circulation of false information on social media regarding the alleged death of Remulla constitutes the dissemination of fake news through information and communications technology,” Magno said, noting that the case is a violation of the Cybercrime Prevention Act, which is under the NBI’s jurisdiction.

Posts before the New Year claimed that Remulla was rushed to hospital. Some posts in the first days of 2026 then stated that he had already died.

The ombudsman did not give a direct denial about his hospitalization but told One PH in a text message on Jan. 2, “I’m in great shape.”

Remulla told reporters that, contrary to the claims, he is healthy and physically capable of performing his duties. 

In 2023, while still serving as justice secretary, Remulla underwent a quintuple heart bypass surgery. Complications with his immune system after the operation forced him to be absent for four months from March to July 2024.

In October 2025, he revealed that he was diagnosed with leukemia while recovering from his heart surgery, but became cancer-free after chemotherapy treatments and a bone marrow transplant.