Marcos rejects calls for Remulla to resign after son’s arrest

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Friday said there is “no basis” for Department of Justice (DOJ) Secretary Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla to step down from his post following the arrest of his son in an anti-drug operation.

“I think the calls for him to resign have no basis. You call for somebody to resign if he’s not doing his job or that they have misbehaved in that job. He has not done… he has done quite the contrary. He has taken the very proper position that he is recusing himself from any involvement in the case of his son,” Marcos told reporters during a chance interview in Pasay City.

“And I think that being the Secretary of Department of Justice he’s very aware that he must allow the processes of the judiciary to work properly and that no one in the executive should interfere,” he added.

Remulla’s son, Juanito Jose Diaz Remulla 3rd, was arrested by members of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) for possession of a parcel containing about one kilo of “kush” or high-grade marijuana in Las Piñas City on Tuesday.

In a statement Friday, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) said criminal charges have been filed against Juanito Jose, 38, before the Las Piñas City Prosecutor’s Office on Thursday.

He is now facing charges for violation of Section 4 (importation of dangerous drugs), Article II of Republic Act 9165, otherwise known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

Prosecutor General Benedicto Malcontento assured an impartial handling of the case against the justice secretary’s son.

“Clear ang directions ni SOJ (Secretary of Justice’s directors are clear). He will not interfere. Rest assured that our prosecutors in Las Piñas will resolve the matter fairly and independently,” Malcontento said in a statement.

PDEA spokesperson Derrick Carreon believes that they have an airtight case.

“Ang controlled delivery is an operational technique authorized under Republic Act 9165, kung saan kung may identified na kontrabando at alam kung saan ito dadalhin ay hahayaan na makarating ‘yung kontrabando sa destination and so that the authorities may effect the proper arrest on the person of the receiver (The controlled delivery is an operational technique authorized under Republic Act 9165, where the identified contraband is known and the person to receive is identified and we will allow it to reach the destination so that the authorities in effect the proper arrest on the person of the receiver),” Carreon said.