FORMER Cavite Governor Jonvic Remulla took his oath as secretary of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) yesterday before President Marcos Jr., who said Remulla was “more than qualified to handle the challenges of one of the government’s most important jobs.”
The President appointed Remulla to head the DILG after erstwhile Interior Secretary Benjamin “Benhur” Abalos Jr. resigned last Monday to run for senator in next year’s midterm elections.
“Governor Jonvic fits the bill of a DILG leader the nation needs today. His extensive and excellent work in local government administration has been met with acclaim, in the press, and by the people who have voted him nine times to office,” Marcos said.
Remulla said the President asked him to submit recommendations on making the police force more effective and cohesive and to make structural changes and personnel changes necessary for the conduct of the 2025 elections.
He said Marcos also asked him to review the structure and personnel of the National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) and to recommend measures to make it more neutral, more cohesive and effectively address the concerns of the police force; and to ensure the safety of all the candidates for the 2025 elections.
Marcos said the best proof of Remulla’s performance was not in the glowing reports and great scorecards but in how Cavite became progressive and an economic powerhouse under his term.
“For almost 30 years, he has been in the trenches of local governance, from board member to vice governor, to governor. When he worked his way up, he brought his province along with him. In every position his people gifted him with an overwhelming mandate for a job well done; he repaid the people’s trust with hard work and honest service,” Marcos added.
The President said that with Remulla’s qualifications and experience, he no longer needs to spell out his marching orders because the latter would already know what to do and how best to do it.
Marcos said the most important thing for him and his administration is to keep Filipinos safe in their homes and make the local governments more dynamic frontline of service.
Remulla, who has already filed his certificate of candidacy for reelection as governor of Cavite, said he could not refuse when he was asked by the President to join the Cabinet.
He said he had a long meeting with Marcos and was also briefed by Abalos about the ins and outs of the department before he took his oath as DILG secretary.
CLOSING POGOs
Remulla said part of his priorities is implementing the closure of the Philippine offshore gaming operations in the country by the end of the year, starting with the POGO facility at their family’s former resort property Island Cove.
“That will be the first one to be closed, and correction, it’s not ours. It was our property, but it’s not ours. That will be the first one closed just to show you proof of sincerity. I will start with my province and make sure that it is closed,” he said.
He said he would personally visit different POGO facilities in the country by December 15 and padlock those that remain open.
During his last State of the Nation Address, the President ordered the closure of all POGOs in the country and the end of their operations by the end of the year.
‘EXCEPTIONALLY QUALIFIED’
Speaker Martin Romualdez welcomed Remulla’s appointment as interior secretary, citing his years of service as a local government official which, he said, “makes him exceptionally qualified for the position.”
“We are happy with Gov. Jonvic’s appointment as DILG Secretary. Bilang isang matagal na naging lokal na opisyal, alam niya ang tunay na pangangailangan ng ating LGUs, lalo na pagdating sa pamamahala, kapayapaan at seguridad (As a longtime local official, he knows the needs of our LGUs, especially when it comes to governance, peace and security),” Romualdez said.
Romualdez expressed confidence that Remulla’s “strategic thinking and innovative approaches will bring much-needed reforms and improvements to the country’s LGUs.
“Gov. Jonvic’s deep understanding of local issues, combined with his dedication to public service, will greatly benefit our LGUs nationwide. He knows what it takes to elevate local governance and to create a safe and secure environment for all Filipinos,” he said.
Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers, chair of the House committee on dangerous drugs, said: “His wealth of experience and competency in local governance could prove that he could very well run the agency, to face and handle all the challenges that lie ahead of him as SILG.”
“I commend President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s choice of Cavite Gov. Jonvic Remulla as the new Secretary of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) in place of Benhur Abalos, who has recently filed his certificate of candidacy for Senator under the administration ticket,” he said.
“Jonvic Remulla has spent almost 30 years of his political life in Cavite — as a provincial legislator, acting governor, vice-governor, and then governor again — and for these reasons, he certainly is fit for the job. His wealth of experience and competency in local governance could prove that he could very well run the agency, to face and handle all the challenges that lie ahead of him as SILG,” he added.
