President Marcos officially appointed Juanito Victor ‘Jonvic’ Remulla as the new Secretary of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), Malacañang announced on Tuesday.
Marcos administered the oath of office to Remulla, who replaced former DILG Secretary Benjamin ‘Benhur’ Abalos, Jr. in his Cabinet.
In a statement, President Marcos said Remulla’s extensive and excellent work in local government administration made him his top choice for the DILG post.
“Clearly, Governor Jonvic is more than qualified to handle the challenges of one of the government’s most important jobs,” he said.
“I do not have to spell out my marching orders to him because as a boot on the ground he knows what to do and how best to do it, the most important of which are keeping our people safe in their homes and making our local governments dynamic frontliners of service,” President Marcos added.
Remulla, who was serving as governor of Cavite, said he accepted the position wholeheartedly even if it meant leaving his province for the meantime.
“After 29 years serving in the Provincial Government of Cavite, 11 and a half of which I was governor, I think I will leave the province much better than when I first came in,” he said in a Facebook post.
“Being Governor is the only job I ever wanted. Serving all of you has given me immense joy and fulfillment. An honor of a lifetime,” Remulla told his constituents.
Remulla is the brother of incumbent Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin ‘Boying’ Remulla. Abalos had to vacate the DILG post to pursue his senatorial bid in the 2025 midterm elections.
The former Cavite governor he plans to continue his advocacy of strengthening local government and police force while observing equal rights towards a better future.
“This can only be done through consensus building, community empowerment, and enhancing civic responsibility,” according to the new DILG chief.
