People’s Tonight reporter/columnist Paul M. Gutierrez shares a light moment with Department of Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin ‘Boying’ Remulla at the DOJ chief’s office last Tuesday, October 18, 2022. The DOJ chief said if his critics and “enemies” believe they can force him into seclusion over the arrest of his son, they are wrong. “I will be more visible and active in order to show our people that no crisis can deter me from focusing on my job. I have been through a lot of crises before,” he added.
Remulla focused on job
DOJ chief ‘unshaken’ by son’s arrest; vows to be more active, visible
DEPARTMENT of Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin ‘Boying’ Remulla assured that he remains focused on his job and is not shaken by the arrest of his eldest son, Juanito Jose, 38.
Remulla’s son ha received a package of marijuana which was delivered to his house in Las Piñas City, last October 11, 2022. The package was sent from the United States.
Possessed of a steady character and a known ‘crisis manager,’ the Justice Secretary this week bared a series of programs aimed at further expediting the delivery of justice to those who need them the most.
On the killing of radio block timer Percy Lapid last October 3, Remulla said he wants to get a report from Bureau of Corrections director Gerald Q. Bantag, after the self-confessed gunman, Joel Estorial, surrendered to the police the day before and claimed the instruction to kill Lapid came “from Bilibid,” referring to the National Penitentiary in Muntinlupa.
“I only learned about it (Estorial’s claim) just now and I will talk to Director Bantag. We will also give full protection to the witness if the claim is true,” Remulla said.
The DOJ chief also said they are expediting the release of some 300 ‘PDLs’ (persons deprived of liberty) who had actually served their sentences yet continue to languish in prison. He said the DOJ aims to release upwards to 2,000 PDLs by the end of the year.
“This is what humane justice is all about,” Remulla told People’s Tonight.
Remulla said he is also expediting the grant of amnesty to thousands of illegal aliens in the country noting, “our kababayans are also migrant workers. If we want them to be treated humanely abroad, we should also do the same to their nationals here.”
Remulla added that he has not spoken to his son since the latter’s arrest and does not intend to as he wants to completely stay away from the case.
On his return from an official trip in Geneva last week, Remulla said he immediately talked to President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr., who complimented him for the success of his mission and “commiserated” with him “as a parent.”
Remulla was head of the Philippine delegation to the 51st United Nations’ Human Rights Council (UNHRC) Dialogue.
He added PBBM also told him that he has to get back to work after he has “done well” in the international scene. “We need you hear in the local scene,” PBBM reportedly told Remulla.
PBBM has rejected calls for Remulla to resign, saying the incident involving his son has nothing to do with Remulla’s job as Justice secretary.
Remulla said the Chief Executive’s parting words to him is to “continue reforming the justice system.”
The DOJ chief said if his critics and “enemies” believe they can force him into seclusion over the arrest of his son, they are wrong.
“I will be more visible and active in order to show our people that no crisis can deter me from focusing on my job. I have been through a lot of crises before,” he said.
