MANILA (UCAN): “The icon of Lady Justice is blindfolded because there should be no distinction between the parties concerned. But in the Philippines there is one justice for the rich, another for the poor; one justice for the great, another for the small,” human rights advocate, Father Danny Pilario, said reacting to reports that 38-year-old Juanito Jose Remulla, who was arrested for alleged possession of illegal drugs, would be indicted only for illegal possession, not for illegal import of illegal drugs.
Remulla, who is the son of the Philippine secretary for justice, Jesus Crispin Remulla, was arrested on October 11 for illegal possession of almost a kilo of high-grade marijuana worth 1.3 million pesos [$179,140] at his home in Las Pinas City, south of Manila. He allegedly received the package at his home.
Families of the victims of the drug war of former president, Rodrigo Duterte, called on the elder Remulla to resign on October 17 saying he had lost the credibility to enforce the law.
“Reason dictates that he has lost any and or all his credibility as chief of the Department of Justice. Having a son allegedly involved in the drug trade, caught in the very act of possessing illegal drugs, is more than enough reason for him to leave his post,” Magdalena Ibay, whose son was killed by a vigilante group, explained.
Blood is always thicker than water. A father, in one way or another, would always do something for his son. Even the judge who will hear the case would be mindful because Remulla is the justice secretary. That’s why there is no alternative for him but to resign
Another calling for Remulla’s resignation was the wife of a slain drug pusher in Kalookan City who was alledged to have fired shots at arresting officers. “Resign, Secretary Remulla, and do not intervene in the legal process! Before you told us that you had no sympathy for drug addicts, let us see what your sentiment is now. How would you feel if your own son is shot in cold blood?” said Carmen de Dios, whose husband worked as a fish vendor and was killed at the port.
However, Remulla said he would not intervene in his son’s case.
“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 told reporters on October 17.
“A person should always face the consequences of their actions and I will let justice take its own course,” he added.
Philippine president, Ferdinand Marcos, Jr., chimed in, saying calls for Remulla’s resignation had “ no basis.”
Reason dictates that he has lost any and or all his credibility as chief of the Department of Justice. Having a son allegedly involved in the drug trade, caught in the very act of possessing illegal drugs, is more than enough reason for him to leave his post
He told reporters that “Secretary Remulla could only be asked to quit his post if he’s not doing his job or if he has misbehaved in that job. Secretary Remulla has not done anything wrong. He made a very proper stance by not intervening in his son’s case.”
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The families of Duterte’s drug war victims were skeptical saying, “Blood is always thicker than water. A father, in one way or another, would always do something for his son. Even the judge who will hear the case would be mindful because Remulla is the justice secretary. That’s why there is no alternative for him but to resign.”
Father Pilario pointed out, “His [Juanito Remulla] father said that drug users and drug lords are cockroaches. Now, he wishes his son ‘redemption.’ On the other hand, the same president [Marcos Jr.] upholds the incarceration of Leila de Lima, using trumped-up charges and separation of powers as a lame excuse. Never mind if the main witnesses against her recanted.”
De Lima, former lawmaker and secretary of justice, was jailed during the Duterte administration for supposedly receiving money from detained drug lords and abetting the drug trade. Human Rights Watch condemned her arrest as an act of “political vindictiveness that debases the rule of law in the Philippines.”
