Cabinet Members Behind Duterte Arrest Plan Retained
President Marcos has decided to keep two key Cabinet secretaries who played major roles in the plan to arrest former President Rodrigo Duterte. The continued appointments come amid a significant reshuffle within the administration’s Cabinet.
According to sources familiar with the matter, Department of Justice (DOJ) Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla and Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jonvic Remulla will remain in their posts. Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin confirmed on May 29 that both officials’ resignation offers were declined by the President.
“Declined yung resignation niyan,” Bersamin said, referring to the DOJ chief. He also added, “Declined din,” in relation to the DILG secretary’s courtesy resignation. The Remullas were among the five officials responsible for implementing the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) arrest warrant against Duterte, which was filed through Interpol.
New Police Chief and Defense Secretary Retained
Meanwhile, the head of the Philippine National Police (PNP) Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, Nicolas Torre III, who led the arrest operation against Duterte, has been appointed as the new PNP chief.
Regarding the Department of National Defense (DND), Secretary Gilberto Teodoro’s resignation was also turned down by President Marcos. Bersamin confirmed, “Yeah, yeah, definitely declined na ‘yan,” signaling confidence in Teodoro’s continued service.
Uncertainty Surrounds National Security Adviser Position
On the other hand, there is no confirmed update yet about National Security Adviser Eduardo Año’s status. Bersamin explained that the matter is more personal between the President and the adviser, saying, “I do not know yet because that is a personal thing for the President, security adviser ‘yan. Actually that resignation was not coursed through me because they have personal thing diyan kung ayaw ni Presidente tanggapin, it’s up to them.”
This development highlights President Marcos’s intention to maintain stability within the government by retaining key officials involved in sensitive operations, including those related to the ICC warrant against Duterte.
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