Remulla reiterates no special treatment for son
DEPARTMENT of Justice (DOJ) Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla stood firm that all matters arising from the indictment of his son on drug charges will go through normal channels and will not receive preferential treatment from his office.
Remulla told the media on Tuesday that he has yet to talk to his 38-year-old son, Juanito Jose Diaz III, who was arrested in a controlled delivery operation in Barangay Talon Dos, Las Piñas City on October 11.
The younger Remulla was the recipient of a parcel from a certain Benjamin Huffman of the United States, allegedly containing an estimated PHP1.3 million worth of kush or high-grade marijuana that weighed 893.91 grams.
The DOJ chief was on official business in Geneva, Switzerland when the arrest happened.
“I haven’t talked to him actually since the beginning. I’ve stayed away from the case. I have not talked to anybody. I have not asked anybody any favor. I just talked to a cousin of mine who is a lawyer who has started representing him already. That’s everything that I have to do with the case. I have nothing to do with the case,” he said.
Remulla said he prefers to have all resolutions about his son’s case be handled by the courts, instead of by the DOJ, to avoid perceptions of meddling.
“That’s the question that was asked of me by the lawyers who I talked to. Sabi ko (I told them) if there is a resolution, don’t let it reach the DOJ. Let it be discussed in court, whatever the case may be,” he said.
“If its an adverse case against my son, it will not be appealed here (DOJ). it will go straight to the courts for trial,” he said.
Remulla said his family has closed ranks to support each other following the incident.
“We are holding up very well. My wife, my mother, my children, my brothers and sisters are all supportive and I’d like to thank those people who have sent me statement of support — text, and all messaging platforms. I appreciate the statement of support,” he added.
As for his resignation, Remulla said it is the “President’s call.”
“I will not comment anymore on other issues there but it will not happen. That is not my call. It’s the President’s call. If I feel later on that I am not anymore effective in this position, then I will talk to the President about whatever has to be done in the future,” he said. Philippine News Agency
