DILG chief Remulla still enjoys Marcos’ trust – Palace

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. still trusts Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla despite growing calls for his replacement due to recent gaffes, according to Palace Press Officer Claire Castro.

At a briefing, Castro was asked how Marcos sees Remulla’s performance following the Senate chaos last week and on his error in relation to former lawmaker Zaldy Co’s supposed release from Czech authorities, among others issues.

READ: DILG chief apologizes over ‘no shirt’ arrests amid backlash

“Personal po ay wala naman po akong nakitaan na natanggal ang tiwala ng Pangulo kay Secretary Jonvic Remulla sa ngayon,” said Castro.

(Personally, I have not seen any indication that the President has lost trust in Secretary Jonvic Remulla at this time.)

She also responded to rumors that either former Sen. Antonio Trillanes or former Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos Jr. is being eyed as a Remulla’s replacement.

“Wala pa pong ganoong ibinibigay sa ating mga impormasyon,” the Palace official said.

(We have not received information on such.)

Remulla initially announced that Co, a central figure in the multibillion-peso flood control scandal, may be back in Manila from the Czech Republic in three weeks’ time after he was held in custody in Prague.

He later took his statement back and apologized for the faulty projection.

Criticism against the Department of the Interior and Local Government intensified following the Senate shootomg incident on May 13.

Moreover, Remulla also drew flak after police officers apprehended individuals for not wearing a shirt under his department’s “Safer Cities” initiative.  /gsg