By Robert B. Roque, Jr.
It was a shock for most of us that the son of Justice Secretary Boying Remulla was busted for drugs. According to JP Soriano’s report on “24 Oras,” Juanito Jose Remulla III was nabbed after he claimed a parcel that allegedly contained P1.3 million worth of kush or “high-grade marijuana.”
The secretary, in a statement, said that he would “not intervene in his son’s predicament.”
I don’t know which of these is more unbelievable: The son getting busted for drugs or the father not lifting a finger for his son’s benefit.
* * *
The way it is, justice in this country is already tainted with a cloud of doubt. And that is why the calls for the Department of Justice (DOJ) secretary to resign are nothing personal.
In Japan, if the justice minister’s son were to get arrested and charged in court for such a grave crime – remember, it’s non-bailable – the official would have resigned and bowed out in shame to preserve the integrity of the office, which is a requisite for it to function efficiently.
Was it not our DOJ secretary, when he was still congressman, who strongly proposed imposition of the death penalty for drug crimes?
Well, of course, he isn’t Japanese. He just looks like one who played too much golf.
* * *
And here comes the President to his Justice Secretary’s rescue, rejecting all suggestions or even a prospective offer of Remulla’s resignation.
Why? He also just has a Japanese look.
* * *
First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos had her fair share of controversy this past week, prompting her son Ilocos Norte Rep. Sandro Marcos to speak out against a smear campaign spreading ill talk about her.
Is she really having her way with the President regarding political decisions?
I could imagine a wife being concerned for her husband, especially if he counts among his Cabinet those whose interests are controlled by external powers like, for example, a mining industry group.
Can we really expect her to just “mined” her own business? I get confused – is it mined or mind? I bet former executive secretary Vic Rodriguez knows which one is correct.
* * *
House Deputy Speaker Rufus Rodriguez of Cagayan de Oro City has filed House Bill No. 4205, which seeks the creation of a state corporation that would focus on developing renewable energy in the country.
If passed into law, it would be known as the Philippine Renewable Energy Corp. (PREC).
This guy has foresight.
* * *
SHORT BURSTS. For comments or reactions, email firingline@ymail.com or tweet @Side_View. Read current and past issues of this column at https://www.thephilbiznews.com
