Fresh from surgery, Remulla probes raunchy intermission at NBI conference

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla answers questions from the media during a press briefing on Thursday, July 6, 2023, at the Department of Justice. Remulla revealed he underwent a heart bypass surgery while on his 10-day wellness leave that started on June 26. INQUIRER.net/Noy Morcoso

Fresh from bypass surgery, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla on Thursday said the Department of Justice (DOJ) is investigating reports that a “sexy dancer” performed at an intermission of a command conference of the National Bureau of Investigation.

“Definitely, we do not like this to happen. We will investigate it also,” said Remulla at his first press briefing upon returning from a medical leave more than a week ago.

According to reports, a scantily clad dancer, among other better-dressed and reputable entertainers, performed during the NBI conference at the Diamond Hotel in Manila on June 29 and 30.

He did not dwell on details of the event, but said “these are the forms of misbehavior that we don’t need in the country.”

Remulla looked calm and relaxed as he updated journalists on development at the DOJ and revealed that he underwent a bypass surgery procedure to remove a blockage in his heart.

According to him, he underwent a seven-hour procedure on June 27 after the blockage was discovered during his annual medical checkup the week before.

“I did a full battery of tests. It was during a procedure called [an] angiogram that the blockage was found,” he said.

He said that one of the main factors for his heart condition was his history of smoking.

“I smoked for 30 years. I stopped smoking [in] January 2010. The doctor said it’s one of the causative factors, major causative factor,” said Remulla.

Regaining strength

Remulla, 62 years old, described himself as an active person who exercises regularly and lifts weights four times a week.

He said he was discharged from the hospital five days after the procedure and he was slowly back to doing walking exercise while undergoing rehabilitation to regain strength, particularly in his lungs since he was intubated during surgery.

“I’m fine. So far, so good,” he said while adding that he won’t be physically present at the DOJ for a few days every week for a month.

“I have scheduled a meeting with undersecretaries and assistant secretaries on Monday,” he added, assuring the public that DOJ operations wouldn’t be affected.

He said he had asked permission from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who told him to prioritize his health.

“He’s very happy that I made the decisions that I did to go through the procedure. And I thanked the President for his trust and confidence in me,” he added.

He said he would also continue to look into the case of Jose Adrian Dera, the inmate who was supposedly allowed to leave the NBI detention facility without court authorization.

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