Remulla targets LRA, BI, BuCor for ‘reform’ and ‘cleansing’

FILE PHOTO Justice Sec. Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla. From Facebook

MANILA, Philippines — Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla on Monday announced that three of the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) attached agencies – the Land Registration Authority (LRA), the Bureau of Immigration (BI) and the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) – would be subject to “cleansing and reform.”

In his speech after his first flag ceremony at the DOJ in Manila, Remulla said these three agencies would be the first in line for transformation to rid them of any bad image arising from reports of corruption.

At the BI, he said there are various syndicates — extortion, human trafficking, and protection syndicates.

He said the BI “is the face of the country and we, Filipinos have a duty to protect our own country”

Recently, the Office of the Ombudsman dismissed more than 40 personnel of the Bureau of Immigration involved in the so-called “pastillas” bribery scam.

READ: BI employees sacked over ‘pastillas’ scam no longer reporting for work

At the LRA, Remulla said he had heard stories from his lawyer friends who have told him of corruption ingrained in the system of LRA.

But Remulla quickly clarified that he is not generalizing the entire LRA.

“Hindi ko nilalahat sa LRA. Sasabihin ko po 95% ng tao maayos, baka 99% pa ngunit yung isang porsyento na hindi maayos ay nababahiran ang lahat [Let us just say that 95 to 99 percent of its personnel are not engaged in corrupt activities but there is that one percent that is not doing their job well and it is affecting everyone],” Remulla said.

The third agency on his list is the BuCor, which he said is problematic because of the continuing “illegal activities.”

Last Friday, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) filed complaints for murder against police officers assigned at the BuCor for the death of eight inmates using COVID-19 as a cover-up.

READ: NBI files murder raps vs 22 cops for death of Bilibid inmates

Remulla said if he discussed the problems that need to be addressed at the DOJ and its agencies could take them the whole day.

The new DOJ chief was elected Cavite Representative but opted to have the DOJ portfolio despite the big task ahead.

“Who am I to say ‘no’ to serve as DOJ Secretary? How can I say ‘no’ to the President who was elected by 31 million? It is a big honor,” he said.

“Why [did the President choose me]. MaybRemulla targets LRA, BI, BuCor for ‘reform’ and ‘cleansing’ e he chose me because I can get things done, that is the ultimate reason probably why I was chosen by the President and that I accept challenges. I have accepted all the challenges given me in my political life and probably my professional life,” he further said.

He said that when he was an assistant secretary at the Presidential Management Staff (PMS) during the time of former President Joseph Estrada, he was tasked to attend to several governance issues.

Remulla assured the DOJ employees of his 100 percent commitment as their Secretary in the next six years of the Marcos administration.

“You can expect me to be totally committed to our case, totally committed to what the Department of Justice stands for and what we should stand for, and I can tell you without batting an eyelash that I am ready to give my life for this, no ‘ifs’ or ‘buts,'” the DOJ Secretary said.

EDV/abc