DILG Secretary Ready for Congressional Probe
Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla expressed his readiness to face a congressional probe regarding the controversial P8-billion firearms proposal for the Philippine National Police (PNP). He firmly opposed the proposal and is willing to cooperate fully with lawmakers to clarify the issue.
“If I’m called on by Congress and the Senate to give all the details, I will do it,” Remulla declared during a press conference in Quezon City. He even offered to take a lie detector test to prove that he did not approve the firearms purchase.
Details on the P8-B Firearms Proposal
Remulla confirmed that his office received the P8-billion firearms proposal about a month ago. However, he refrained from disclosing the identity of the party who submitted the procurement plan to the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).
He explained that if the proposal had been approved, it would have required insertion into the DILG’s 2026 budget through Congress, as the purchase was not part of the National Expenditure Program (NEP).
DILG’s Procurement Limitations and Consultation
The DILG chief clarified that the department’s procurement process generally covers office supplies, maintenance, and other operating expenses, making it unsuitable for such a large-scale firearms acquisition.
To assess the necessity of the purchase, Remulla consulted former PNP Chief General Nicolas Torre III. He tasked Torre to evaluate the quality and need for the firearms and to decide when to approve any order.
“We cannot bid on that kind of item because the bidding of the DILG is usually limited to office supplies, maintenance and other operating procedures,” Remulla explained. “So I wrote to General Torre and told him that he was the competent authority to judge the quality of the product, whether the product was even needed, and when he was going to sign the order.”
Rejection of the Proposal and Agreement
Officials reported that General Torre rejected the firearms proposal, deeming the purchase unnecessary. Secretary Remulla reportedly concurred with this assessment, emphasizing that he did not sign any procurement not included in the president’s NEP.
“When I first assumed office, as long as it was not in the president’s NEP, I did not sign it,” he stressed.
Context Behind General Torre’s Removal
Remulla’s statements came amid allegations that General Torre was relieved from his post on August 26 for allegedly defying orders to approve the firearms deal. However, the DILG chief clarified that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. removed Torre to uphold the National Police Commission’s (Napolcom) authority.
This move followed a dispute concerning the assignment of 13 third-level officials within the PNP.
Looking Ahead
As the situation develops, Secretary Remulla remains open to congressional inquiries and stands by his opposition to the P8-billion firearms proposal. He continues to emphasize transparency and adherence to proper budgetary processes in government procurement.
For more news and updates on firearms proposal, visit Filipinokami.com.
