Justice chief Remula’s son arrested in drug bust, says will let case run its course
The eldest son of Justice Secretary Boying Remulla was arrested in a buy-bust operation by members of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency on Tuesday morning, October 13.
More than 900 grams of “kush” or high-grade marijuana with an estimated worth of more than PHP1 million was seized from Juanito Jose Diaz Remulla III Tuesday at a house in Barangay Talon, Las Piñas City, initial reports said.
Remulla III was nabbed after he claimed a parcel which allegedly contained the contraband from San Diego, California, shipped by a certain Benjamin Huffman.
Justice Secretary Remulla, who is in Geneva on official business, said on Thursday said he will let justice run its course in the case of his 38-year-old son.
“I am both a father and the Secretary of Justice, roles that I take very seriously. We all know about unconditional love, but at 38 years old, he will have to face his predicament as a fully emancipated child. I have to abide by the Oath of Office I took when I assumed this position,” Remulla said in a handwritten statement sent to newsmen.
“To make everything clear, I will not intervene in nor influence my son’s predicament, and I have not done so in any way. A person should always face the consequence of their actions and I will let justice take its own course,” he added.
The DOJ chief thanked the PDEA (Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency) “for doing their job, without fear or favor. I have no conflict with them.”
“This is a very difficult time for me and my family but this is nothing compared to what so many Filipinos are going through. I will respect the justice system,” he added.
The DOJ Secretary’s brother, Cavite Governor Juanito Victor “Jonvic” Remulla posted the family’s official statement on the arrest of his nephew and reiterated his brother’s position that the family will not intervene or influence the case.
Here’s the Cavite Governor’s official statement:
OFFICIAL STATEMENT
Si Juanito Jose Diaz Remulla III ay pamangking buo ko po.
Siya ay panganay na anak na lalake ni Justice Secretary Boying Remulla.
Si Sec Boying po ay nasa Geneva ngayon at pauwi na bukas, Oct 14.
Nakapag-usap na po kami pagkatapos ng insidente na ito:
1. Sec Boying has pledged that he will not, in any way interfere, intervene, nor use any of his affiliations to influence the charges against his son.
2. I personally feel that while he deserves all of my empathy, there will be no support extended in terms of using my position in government. While he is family, my oath as Cavite Governor and as a Public Servant is paramount above any of his alleged transgressions.
3. We would like to thank the PDEA for doing their job. We were never informed of their operation and they were correct in doing so. There should be no fear nor favor in the conduct of their duties.
4. If in any way, any family member who tries to influence the prosecution of this case then I will make sure to expose the matter right way. We will not tolerate an abuse of authority in any way.
5. Our family is devastated with these developments most especially my 87 year old mother. We thank everyone for their calls of concern but rest assured that we are on top of the situation and that we shall abide in accordance with the due process of law.
6. What we are going through is what millions of Filipino families are also going through now. We have been asked numerous times by friends and associates to intervene with their family members’ cases and we have never in any way meddled with the justice system. We are not about to break any rules now.
7. I hope this statement puts all speculations to rest. My brother is flying back home soon and he will issue a statement of his own.
Maraming salamat po sa inyong pang-unawa.
Ang inyong lingkod.
Juanito “Jonvic” Remulla Jr.
Governor, Cavite Province
The reaction on social media has been overwhelmingly doubtful of the Remulla political clan’s ability to keep their promise to not intervene in favor of the beleaguered family member. Others are even calling for the resignation of Boying Remulla as they feel he has lost all moral authority to continue to serve as Justice Secretary. Netizens also lamented the apparent double standards in the treatment of drug suspects who come from influential families and those from underprivileged backgrounds.
