VP Duterte on Remulla: Pray for PH, DOJ chief does not know the law

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla | Photo by Tetch Torres

MANILA, Philippines — Vice President Sara Duterte on Tuesday accused Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla of not knowing the law and being slow.

She made the pronouncement after Remulla said the Department of Justice (DOJ) was studying the possible “legal consequences” of her threat to exhume the body of former President Ferdinand Marcos Sr. and throw it into the West Philippine Sea.

READ: DOJ studying legal action on VP rant 

“Unang una, ipagdasal natin ang Pilipinas dahil we have a secretary of Justice na hindi alam ang batas,” Duterte told reporters in a chance interview.

(First, let’s pray for the Philippines because we have a secretary of Justice who does not know the law.)

Duterte explained there was a “big difference” between talking about desecrating a body and doing it.

“desecrating a body is not desecrating the dead,” she said.

“Sana siguro as a lawyer maintindihan niya ‘yon kaagad,” she added. “But apparently, sabi nga ng iba, pag mabilis ka meron talagang mabagal ang pickup.”

(I hope, as a lawyer, he understands that right away…But apparently, like what others said, if you are quick-minded, some are slow.)

Duterte and Remulla are lawyers.

Remulla said Duterte violated “moral principles,” warranting a study to explore its legal aspects.

While he did not specify what law Duterte allegedly violated for threatening to exhume Marcos’ body, Remulla said Duterte may have violated the Revised Penal Code.