Remulla III case: Prosecutor’s office strictly off-limits, even to DOJ chief

Justice Secretary Crispin Remulla (Bibo Nueva Espaٌña / Senate PRIB)

MANILA, Philippines — The prosecutor who pressed charges against Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla’s son, who was recently arrested over the importation of kush, assured the public of no outside interference, ensuring the prevention of people from intervening.

Las Piñas prosecution lawyer Jennah Marie dela Cruz said in a phone interview with reporters on Friday that the Department of Justice (DOJ) has not made any meddling.

Remulla has declared he would stay out of the case of his son, Juanito Jose Diaz Remulla III, who was arrested during a controlled delivery operation of kush led by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA).

“I can assure you, wala pong kahit anong participation or intervention ‘yong any department, especially the Secretary of Justice kasi rin kahapon, we are blocking people to come inside our office. So ‘yan pong resolution ng opisina namin ay joint effort po talaga ng aming chief ng aking reviewing officer, and myself as being prosecutor,” Dela Cruz said.

(I can assure you, there has been no participation or intervention from the department, especially the Secretary of Justice, because yesterday, we blocked people from coming into our office. So that’s our office’s resolution, which is a joint effort of our chief, my reviewing officer, and myself being a prosecutor.)

“Intact naman po ‘yong integrity niyan and ‘yong sinabi po ni Secretary of Justice na hindi po siya makikialam whatsoever, naging totoo naman po ‘yon. So ‘yon po ‘yong assurance na maibibigay ng aming opisina.  Naging independent po ang Department of Justice, particularly po ang Office of the City Prosecutor,” she added.

(The integrity of the case is intact, and the secretary of Justice himself said that he would not intervene, that has been true. So that’s our office’s assurance; the Department of Justice has been independent, particularly the Office of the City Prosecutor.)

Dela Cruz and their office were behind the filing of the case against the younger Remulla, for violating Republic Act No. 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. According to her, the case was filed at around 2:40 p.m. on Friday.

Senior Assistant City Prosecutor Donald Macasaet recommended the case information and City Prosecutor Marylin Cynthia Fatima Madamba-Luang approved it.

As to the alleged importation of the illegal drugs, Dela Cruz said they are leaving the matter to the Pasay City prosecutors because the operation took place in Pasay.

That case would still be subject to preliminary investigation, she confirmed.

“The initial charges for importation of drugs, we will be referring that to Pasay City kasi halos lahat ng (because almost all the) elements ng (of the) offense took place in Pasay so they have jurisdiction over that matter,” dela Cruz said.

“We don’t have a say on that kasi (because) it’s under their evaluation. But as to us, we filed for section 11 and that’s non-bailable considering the amount of drugs he hold,” she added.

READ: Complaints filed vs Remulla’s son over P1-million kush import 

The younger Remulla was found carrying over a kilogram of kush, a cannabis plant that is illegal in the country, last Tuesday. Reports said the illegal substance was worth P1.3 million.

READ: Son of DOJ chief Remulla arrested for involvement in alleged kush importation | DOJ chief Remulla to let son face consequences for P1.3 million kush importation 

Following the incident, there have been calls for Remulla to resign but several lawmakers and even President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. himself said the claims have no basis since Remulla has not misbehaved in his job.

READ: Some senators back Remulla despite quit calls over son’s link to kush import 

JPV/abc