The Commission on Appointments (CA) on Wednesday confirmed the ad interim appointment of Justice Sec. Crispin Remulla and Interior Sec. Benhur Abalos, but put on hold the confirmation of Labor Secretary Benjamin Laguesma due to lack of material time.
Remulla and Abalos breezed through the powerful CA while Laguesma was bombarded with questions by opposition Sen. Risa Hontiveros on his alleged partiality to the cause of workers and the labor sector.
Facing the Justice and Judicial and Bar Council presided by Sen. Francis Tolentino, Remulla guaranteed that he is a man of action, who is “willing to ignite several reforms for the improvement of the administration of justice.”
“It is a commitment that I make before you and our people that are stand by the rule of law and exercise, nothing but the rule of law, as I lead the Department of Justice, and it’s attached procedure,” he said.
He disclosed that he has started instituting drastic reforms that are intended to improve the condition of services in the justice sector.
“About among these are the digitalization process across the DOJ and it’s attached agencies to hasten the bureaucratic processes,” said Remulla, who noted that his current position is the most challenging public office he ever held.
“Indeed, it is every level of stream one day be the secretary of justice. And today, I seek the affirmation of this available permission to see me fit and healthy to serve our people in this capacity when no one can make bold promises to cure every ill that suppose a criminal justice system,” Remulla said.
Questioned on the death penalty, Remulla said that such a punishment for an offense may divide society.
“As to the philosophical underfillings of punishment as a payment for a commission of a sin, that is still one that will divide society forever. The value of life will always be important to all of us, and the value of society is also very important to all of us,” he said.
“It is up to a democratic country like ours to vote on this issue. I believe that policymakers should debate it properly and vote on it as representatives of the people, but it can be debated and we should
learn both sides of the debate,” he added.
Meanwhile, Remulla reiterated the importance of witnesses in drug war cases. He proposed the amendment of the Witness Protection Law to cover law enforcement agents.
He also promised to to stand by the rule of law as Justice secretary.
Abalos, on the other hand, received all praises from senators and congressmen who comprised the powerful CA.
During the hearing by the Interior and Local Government committee chaired by Sen. Francis Escudero, Abalos was asked on the devolution transition, human rights in anti-drug operations, jail congestion,
among others.
Abalos served as mayor of Mandaluyong City and chairperson of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA).
When questioned by Sen. Imee Marcos about the assets he did not declare in his SALN, Abalos said these business assets “were no longer operational.”
