THE son of Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla was a no-show in yesterday’s hearing of the drug case against him before the Las Pinas City Regional Trial Court.
It was the fifth hearing of the case for violation of Section 11 of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 against Juanito Jose III.
Remulla was represented in the hearing by his lawyers, Christopher “Kit” Belmonte and Pernillo Campanilla.
Belmonte and Campanilla declined to provide details of the hearing as well as of Remulla’s absence, citing the sub judice rule that restricts comments and statements on ongoing cases.
“Sub judice rule pa rin kami, iyan ang di natin puwedeng pag-usapan (We’re still under the sub judice rule so we cannot comment or disclose on the case),” Belmonte said.
The hearing saw the continuation of the prosecution’s presentation of evidence against Remulla.
Remulla pleaded not guilty to the drug possession charge during his arraignment early this month before the sala of RTC Branch 197 Judge Ricardo Moldez II.
If found guilty, Remulla faces life imprisonment and a fine ranging from P500,000 to P10 million.
Belmonte said they are waiting for a resolution from the Pasay City Prosecutors Office for the separate complaint for importation of dangerous drugs and violation of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act.
The younger Remulla was arrested in a controlled delivery operation by operatives of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency at Talon Dos, Las Pinas last October 11.
Seized from him was P1.3 million worth of “kush” or high-grade marijuana.
The DOJ chief has been tight-lipped on his son’s case but promised that he would not use his power or authority to influence the case.
