Ombudsman Jesus Crispin C. Remulla assured the public of his good health and readiness to serve, revealing that he is now cancer-free after undergoing two cycles of chemotherapy, full-body radiation, and a bone marrow transplant using stem cells from his son, a full match.
The treatment, conducted at St. Luke’s Medical Center in Bonifacio Global City, successfully cured him of leukemia, a cancer of the blood, following more than a year of medical care.
In a statement on Monday, Oct. 27, Remulla said he is “free from cancer after a successful treatment for more than one year” and emphasized that he had completed all treatments and medications before assuming the post of Ombudsman.
To maintain his health, he shared that he exercises every morning before heading to work.
Addressing public concerns about his condition, Remulla said his second chance at life has only strengthened his resolve.
“Tinitiyak namin sa publiko na determinado ang Ombudsman na papanagutin ang mga responsable sa isyung ito ng flood-control — at higit pa siyang nasa mabuting kalagayan upang gawin iyon. Ang kanyang pangalawang pagkakataon sa buhay ay nagbigay sa kanya ng determinasyon at paninindigang wala na siyang dapat ikatakot o ipagpaliban,” he said.
In a recent interview on “Usapang Real with Luchi” aired on Oct. 24, Remulla recounted how he was first diagnosed with a heart condition, followed by the discovery of his leukemia.
He explained that the bone marrow transplant was necessary because he no longer had white blood cells, and the procedure involved replacing his bone marrow with that of his son.
“Lalagyan ka ng stem cell ng donor para magkaroon ka ng bagong bone marrow. ‘Yan ang pinaka-factory ng dugo,” he said.
Now fully recovered, Remulla said the blood flowing through his veins is no longer his own but that of his son. “Maganda naman ang prognosis,” he added. (Czarina Ong Ki)
