NEW DILG CHIEF. Secretary Jonvic Remulla (right) receives the flag of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) from his predecessor Benjamin Abalos Jr. during turnover rites at the agency's main office in Quezon City on Wednesday (Oct. 9, 2024). Remulla said he would push for a new law mandating structural reforms in the Philippine National Police (PNP). (PNA photo by Robert Oswald Alfiler)
MANILA – Newly installed Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Juanito Victor "Jonvic" Remulla said he would push for a new law mandating structural reforms in the Philippine National Police (PNP).
Remulla, who officially took over the reins of the DILG from resigned chief Benjamin Abalos Jr. on Wednesday, said the current organizational structure of the police force is "top-heavy".
"I think we have to flatten it a little bit. There are so many generals, so many layers. I think we need to do with less," he said in a media interview after the turnover ceremony at the DILG main office in Quezon City.
Remulla also said he wants to establish a merit-based system for the promotion of officers.
"Ang nangyayari kasi ngayon palakasan di ba (What is happening now is a culture of patronage and I have tried my best in my province na walang palakasan doon (there is no patronage system there) and I want to institute that," he added.
In July last year, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. vetoed the measure seeking to introduce organizational reforms in the PNP.
The President said some provisions of the bill "run counter to administrative policy and efficiency" and that it may create pay disparities among police cadets, as well as overlapping functions and redundancies due to the creation of "ambiguous" offices.
Remulla said he admired PNP chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil for opposing the bill's enactment into law, even if it would have benefitted him.
“I think it was a defective law from the start and I think we should craft a newer, more responsive and more realistic law,” he added.
Remulla, a long-time governor of Cavite province, said he was never given a chance to choose the top cop of his own province.
He, however, respects the power of local chief executives to choose their own police chiefs, as mandated by Republic Act 6975 or the DILG Act of 1990.
The new DILG chief, meanwhile, vowed to uphold three key principles -- integrity, punctuality, and accountability.
“Number 1 is you have to keep your integrity. That’s a cornerstone of public service, keep your integrity. Number 2 showing up on time means that you care. I am always on time. No. 3 accountability lalo na sa pera ng bayan (especially on public funds),” said Remulla.
Remulla also lauded the PNP's bloodless campaign against illegal drugs.
“The PNP is doing a good job. The record number of seizures of drugs increased in the last two and a half years. I think EJK (extrajudicial killings) was not the solution. It did not decrease the number of arrests. It did not decrease the number of drugs on the street. I think what the PNP is doing now is within accordance with the bounds of law and accordance with the bounds of human rights. So I think what they are doing now is better than what the previous administration is doing,” he explained.
Marcos named Remulla as the new interior chief, after Abalos stepped down from the post to run for the Senate in next year's midterm elections.
Remulla, meanwhile, hailed Abalos' contributions and service.
"I stand now on the shoulders of a giant in local governance, Secretary Benhur Abalos...your integrity is unmeasurable. You leave me with a very tall task of following in your footsteps. I hope to be equal and I hope too, to make you proud of what we do, Sir. Thank you," he added.
Meanwhile, Abalos said the agency is in good hands with Remulla's leadership.
He likewise acknowledged the DILG workforce, adding that he is proud that his more than two years as head of the department have been "a successful term because of this family."
As DILG chief, Remulla will oversee local government operations nationwide and will have supervision of the PNP, Bureau of Fire Protection, and Bureau of Jail Management and Penology to ensure peace and order and public safety.
He is joining his brother, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla, in the Cabinet. (PNA)
