Remulla stays defiant, refuses quit over son’s case
Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla. (INQUIRER.net FILE PHOTO)
MANILA, Philippines — Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla has remained defiant amid mounting calls for him to resign following the arrest of his son on drug charges last week.
“It will not happen. I will not comment anymore on other issues there, but it will not happen,” he told reporters on Tuesday.
“It’s the president’s call. If I feel later on that I’m not any more effective in this position then I will talk to the president about whatever has to be done in the future,” Remulla added.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. earlier rejected calls for the Department of Justice (DOJ) secretary’s resignation, saying the demand was baseless.
Remulla said he spoke with Marcos last week after he arrived from Geneva where he attended several human rights conventions.
“He [Marcos] just said that he commiserates with my plight as a parent. That’s all. And he said just go back to work,” he said.
Questions of propriety
The DOJ secretary’s son, Juanito Jose Remulla III, was arrested by members of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency for ordering almost a kilogram of kush, or high-grade marijuana estimated to be around P1.25 million. He is facing nonbailable charges of violation of Section 11 of Republic Act No. 9165 (possession) and Section 4 of the same law (importation).
The arrest prompted calls for Remulla’s resignation, especially on social media from people demanding delicadeza or propriety from the DOJ chief who exercises power and influence over government prosecutors who will eventually handle his son’s case.
“I think I’m calm enough to face anybody about any issue. And I cannot be baited into discussing things, which do not need discussing from me. Because as I’ve said, I’ve recused myself from the very beginning,” he added.
Remulla said he would not talk to Prosecutor General Benedicto Malcontento, who heads the National Prosecution Service, about his son’s case.
He also vowed not to entertain any appeals on it, adding that he had told lawyers that any resolution regarding his son’s case should not reach the DOJ.
“I told them if there’s a resolution, do not let it reach the DOJ. Let it be discussed in court… If it’s an adverse case against my son, it will not be appealed here. It will go straight to the courts for trial,” Remulla said.
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