JUSTICE Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla yesterday continued to defy calls for his resignation over the arrest of his eldest son in an anti-drug operation in Las Piñas City last October 11 and reiterated his promise not to influence or intervene in the case.
In a press conference, his first since the arrest of his son, Juanito Jose III, Remulla said he will not resign despite potential conflict of interest.
“That is not my call. I am a very honorable person when it comes to this. It’s the President’s call. And if I feel later on that I’m not any more effective in this position, then I will talk to the President about what has to be done in the future,” he said.
Remulla added that President Marcos assured him of his continued trust when he talked to him last Friday after his arrival from Geneva, Switzerland where he led the Philippine delegation to the 51st UN Human Rights Council conference.
“He just said he commiserates with my plight as a parent. And he said just go back to work because we need you. We have to start working again in the local scene since you were able to do well in the international scene. We need you again in the local scene to do what has to be done,” Remulla said as he recalled his conversation with Marcos.
Last Friday, the Las Piñas City prosecutor’s office indicted the younger Remulla, 38, for violation of Section 11 of RA 9165, illegal possession of drugs, and recommended no bail.
He was nabbed by authorities at BF Resort Village in Las Piñas during a controlled-delivery operation. Seized from him were 932 grams of kush, which generally refers to a pure or hybrid strain of marijuana, worth P1.3 million.
As DOJ chief, Remulla has the power to review resolutions issued by state prosecutors.
A circular issued by Remulla last July revised the rules on appealing decisions of the National Prosecution Service. The new rule, among others, gives Remulla the authority to review a resolution or decision of the NPS on his own, without anyone appealing for it.
Aside from the President, Remulla said he also received support from several lawmakers.
Remulla also reiterated that the prosecutor’s resolution on his son’s drug case filed before the Las Pinas City Prosecutors Office will not reach his desk.
“Let it be discussed in court whatever the case or resolution may be. If it’s an adverse case against my son, it will not be appealed here. It will go straight to the court,” he said, adding he has not talked to his son since the arrest.
“I haven’t talked to him since the beginning. I have stayed away from the case. I have not talked to anybody or asked anybody for favor,” he said, adding the only thing he has done was to talk to his cousin, the legal counsel of his son.
“I talked to a cousin who is a lawyer who started representing him. That’s all that I have to do with the case,” he added.
Remulla declined to further comment on the case, except to say that the family is doing well.
He also thanked those who expressed their support to him.
“We are holding up very well. My wife, my mother, children and relatives are holding up well. I also appreciate the support of others,” he said.
