By Louis ‘Barok’ C Biraogo — May 25, 2025
IN A nation where justice has often been a privilege for the powerful, one embattled figure has quietly pushed for change amid a storm of criticism. Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla, now at the center of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s cabinet reshuffle, offers a rare chance for continuity in a system desperate for reform. Should Marcos let him go?
Remulla’s tenure has delivered tangible progress where predecessors faltered. On prison reform, he has decongested overcrowded jails, digitized inmate records, and modernized facilities, shifting the focus toward rehabilitation—a stark contrast to past DOJ leaders who let systemic rot fester. His prosecution overhaul is equally notable: a 98.97% case resolution rate in 2023, a 63.53% reduction in backlogs, and the creation of a Prosecution Integrity Board signal a break from the Philippines’ long-standing culture of impunity. Public trust reflects this impact—Remulla’s 85% satisfaction rating in the 2023 RPMD survey shows his reforms resonate with ordinary Filipinos, not just the elite.
Yet controversies loom large. Critics point to Remulla’s role in the ABS-CBN franchise denial as an assault on press freedom and his red-tagging of Leni Robredo supporters as a threat to civil liberties. These are valid concerns, but they must be seen in context: Remulla’s actions align with Manila’s political establishment, making him a pragmatic ally for Marcos in a polarized climate where activists might struggle to navigate the system. On the ICC probe into Duterte’s drug war, Remulla’s initial resistance was a defense of sovereignty—a stance many Filipinos share—though his later openness to dialogue shows a nuanced approach to a geopolitically fraught issue.
Replacing Remulla now risks derailing his reforms. His institutional knowledge is critical to sustaining progress on prison decongestion and prosecutorial accountability. Moreover, his courtesy resignation on May 22, 2025, demonstrates loyalty—he’s a team player willing to step aside gracefully, unlike hardliners who might resist Marcos’ agenda. Continuity here isn’t just practical; it’s a signal that Marcos values results over optics.
That said, retention must come with conditions. Marcos should demand a public pledge from Remulla to depoliticize high-profile cases like the Arnolfo Teves prosecution, which has drawn scrutiny for delays. Expanding witness protection programs would address past red-tagging concerns, while a commission to review press freedom complaints could rebuild trust. Remulla is no saint—but in a flawed system, his reforms offer a glimmer of what justice could become.
The choice isn’t between a perfect secretary and a compromised one—it’s between stagnation and the chance, however uneven, for change. Will Marcos seize it?
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KWEBA ni BAROK 
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