Another congressman has put in a good word for Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla, who is facing mounting resignation calls following his eldest son’s arrest on charges of illegal drug possession.
Remulla’s son, Juanito Jose Diaz Remulla III, was arrested by Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) agents on Oct. 11 during a Las Piñas City drug bust. The raid yielded P1.3 million in “kush” marijuana.
Aklan 2nd District Rep. Teodorico Haresco Jr. took up the cudgels for Remulla by saying he has “exemplary integrity and utmost dignity.”
The lawmaker stressed Remulla “always puts country and service to people first.”
Secretary Remulla, himself a former Cavite congressman, has since said that he would “let justice takes its own course” by not intervening or influencing the drug case of his 38-year-old son.
READ: DOJ chief’s son nabbed with P1.25-M kush in anti-drug op
“I have known Secretary Boying for over three decades professionally and personally, and I can vouch for his exemplary integrity and utmost dignity,” Haresco said in statement on Saturday, Oct. 15.
The congressman also vouched for Remulla that will take a hands-off policy on his son’s case.
“Walang kamag-anak, kaibigan o kapatid (There is no family, a friend or sibling) when it comes to his highest standards of professionalism. Boying always puts country and service to people first,” Haresco added.
He also pointed to illegal drug syndicates, whom he said possibly “set-up” the incident, as a way to get back to the Justice department for its successful anti-drug campaign.
“This incident reeks of a set-up from those who seek to besmirch the consequential legacy of Secretary Remulla in public service. This just goes to show how desperate these illegal drug syndicates are,” Haresco said.
The arrest of Remulla’s son happened while the Justice secretary was out of the country to lead the Philippine delegation at the 51st United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) Enhance Interactive Dialogue and Bilateral Meetings and to the State’s Constructive Dialogue/Revalida with the Human Rights Committee on the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights in Geneva, Switzerland from Oct. 4 to 14.
READ: Sec. Remulla’s son charged criminally before RTC
“I am assured that Secretary Remulla, being an honorable man that even President ‘Bongbong’ Marcos (Jr.) trusts, will stand firm by his principles and continue to serve the Filipino people with integrity amidst this difficult period of time. Justice will prevail,” Haresco added.