Department of Justice under Sec. Boying Remulla

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla holds a press conference nearly two weeks after he went on a wellness leave.

Remulla answers questions on different issues from the members of the media.

The Department of Justice says about a dozen suspected traffickers behind the trafficking, cyber fraud operations in Pampanga that victimized more than 1,000 are facing criminal complaints before the agency.

In a statement, the DOJ says the arrested agreed to undergo investigation. The hearing is set on May 15, and they are expected to file their counter-affidavits.

DOJ Assistant Secretary Mico Clavano says the suspected traffickers are facing the following complaints:

• Human Trafficking in relation to violation of Anti-Cybercrime law
• Serious Illegal Detention/Kidnapping
• Violation of Immigration Laws  

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla says he will talk to the House of Representatives and the Senate about the necessary legislation on the reparation, social support and recognition for victims of sexual slavery known as “comfort women” during the World War II.

He tells reporters that they have to continue the job “as part of the international obligations we have.”

“The sense is we never want justice to be too late,” Remulla adds.

The United Nations women’s right committee has found that the Philippines violated the rights of “comfort women.” The Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women said it “found that the State party had failed to adopt appropriate legislative and other measures to prohibit all discrimination against women and protect women’s rights on an equal basis with men.” — The STAR/Marc Jayson Cayabyab

The Department of Justice holds press conference on the Philippines’ participation to the United Nations Human Rights Council universal periodic review.

“I think that we did very well,” he tells members of the media.

Remulla adds two UN special rapporteurs are coming to the country, but he says they invited another UN expert on extra-judicial killings to strengthen forensic pathology in the country.

On calls for his resignation following the arrest of his son, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla says “it will not happen.”

He says he has talked to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. as soon as he landed in Manila from Geneva, where the chief executive told him that he commiserates with him as a parent but they have to get back to work to reform the justice system.

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla will meet with officials of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva, Switzerland this week, the department says.

Remulla flew to Geneva over the weekend in time for the 51st HRC Enhance Interactive Dialogue and Bilateral Meetings to be held on October 4-14, the DOJ adds.

During the same period, the justice secretary will also participate in the State’s Constructive Dialogue/Revalida with the Human Rights Committee on the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

The justice chief will meet either Acting High Commissioner Nada Al Nashaif or incoming High Commissioner Volker Turk. He is also expected to meet UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Gandi and International Committee of the Red Cross Vice-President Gilles Carbonnier.

The Bureau of Immigration says it will tighten the screening of foreigners coming from Cambodia and Vietnam following reported uptick on kidnappings and extortion activities from syndicates of the said countries.

The bureau says Immigration Commissioner Norman Tansingco ordered officers in airports to “immediately refer for secondary inspection foreign nations who have doubtful purpose of travel to the country.”

The kidnappings are subject of an inquiry by the Senate Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs last week.

Department of Justice spokesperson Mico Clavano says Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla met with newly-appointed Immigration Norman Garcera Commissioner Tansingco for the first time on Thursday, September 15, and gave the following marching orders:

• Protect the sovereignty - that is, to make a priority protecting the credibility and forward-looking attitude of the new administration - free from any controversy and issues.
• Create a new legacy founded on effective and efficient service. The Secretary reminded Commissioner Tansingco that the Bureau of Immigration is the first government contact upon entering the country. Thus, it is important to always have the best foot forward.
• Do away with evil practices that have hounded the bureau with much issues and controversies. The Secretary assured support for all programs to curb corruption and red tape.

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla faces the Commission on Appointments.

Sen. Risa Hontiveros asks him about the Visa Upon Arrival policy, "pastillas" scheme, the Philippine government's reply to the International Criminal Court, DOJ investigation into "war on drugs," and the case against former Sen. Leila de Lima.

DOJ spokesperson Mico Clavano says Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla's priority is decongestion of the Bureau of Corrections.

"He visited the New Bilibid Prison and saw that congestion rate is at 330%," Clavano adds at Wednesday's Laging Handa briefing.

The DOJ official says the secretary wants to transfer Bilibid to Nueva Ecija, at the rehabilitation center and Sablayan in Occidental Mindoro.

The DOJ, National Bureau of Investigation and the Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group are tasked to investigate the release of fake documents on the supposed Bureau of Immigration commissioner appointee, Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles says.

As Sept. 8 ICC deadline nears for the PH gov't to submit "observations" on request to continue probe, Justice Sec. Jesus Crispin Remulla says they will word a reply that they are not just "complying in any demand," but to "inform them that we are doing something."

At the Kapihan sa Manila Bay, Remulla says: "We are not submitting anything as a matter of compliance, and we are not members of the ICC anymore. We have withdrawn from the Rome Statute."

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla official designates lawyer Mico Clavano as the spokesperson of the department.

Clavano is authorized to "make public statements ad issue press releases on behalf of the Office of the Secretary," Remulla's one-page order reads.

The order is effective immediately.

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin "Boying" Remulla says Monday he already tested negative on antigen test in the last two days.

"But quarantine protocol is 7 days. So working from home now," he adds.

Remulla said Sunday he tested positive for COVID-19 last Thursday, July 7.

On his first official day as head of the Department of Justice, Secretary Boying Remulla met with National Bureau of Investigation Deputy Director De Lemos to "validate the facts already presented but would like to inquire more into" the bureau's filing of complaints against NCRPO officials over suspicious deaths at the New Bilibid Prison.

Atty. Nico Clavano from the Office of the Justice Secretary says Remulla expressed "stern desire to hold all those involved accountable."

On NBI raps vs NCPRO over suspicious Bilibid deaths:

Atty. Nico Clavano from the Office of Justice Secretary says SOJ Boying Remulla met with NBI chief Eric Distor on Monday to "validate the facts already presented but would like to inquire more into the incident." @PhilstarNews

— Kristine Patag (@kristinepatag) July 5, 2022

In his first flag ceremony at the department, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin "Boying" Remulla trains his target on three attached agencies of the department that "really needs our help." These are:

• Land Registration Authority
• Bureau of Immigration
• Bureau of Corrections 

Remulla says he was chosen by President Marcos Jr. to lead the department because he "gets things done" and he "accepts challenges." 

The new DOJ chief says the staff and officials can expect him to be "totally committed to their cause and what the DOJ stands for." He adds he is "ready to give my life for this, no ifs or buts," drawing applause from the officials and staff.

Get updates on the policies, cases and controversies of the Department of Justice under Secretary Jesus Crispin "Boying" Remulla here.

Photo source: Boying Remulla Facebook page