Manila, Oct. 9 -- Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla formally took his oath of office before Acting Chief Justice Marvic Leonen at the Supreme Court session hall on Thursday.

In an interview after the ceremony, Remulla said President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has directed him to "iron out" the current controversies facing the government.

"Wala siyang marching order sa akin. Sabi niya nga, ayusin natin itong gusot na to, kasi nga, it's a mess (The President has no marching orders. What he said was to iron out this mess. We have to fix this mess). We have to figure out how to get out of this as a better country than anything else," Remulla said.

Remulla also dismissed the misgivings being raised by his critics.

"Kasi they operate on a politi...