Cavite Governor Juanito Victor “Jonvic” Remulla Jr. has been selected by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. as the next Secretary of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), according to Malacañang.
Remulla is set to take his oath before the President at 9:45 a.m. in Malacañang, as confirmed by Presidential Communications Secretary Cesar Chavez.
He will replace the outgoing DILG Secretary, Benhur Abalos, who formally announced his Senate bid on Monday.
The news was first revealed late Monday by Jonvic’s brother, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla, who also mentioned that his brother would likely withdraw from his own political candidacy following the appointment.
The Justice Secretary expressed optimism that the appointment would foster closer collaboration between the Department of Justice (DoJ) and the DILG, both members of the Justice Sector Coordinating Council (JSCC), which works toward reforms in the country’s justice system.
“The commitments between our departments can be implemented quickly, as we can easily coordinate on what needs to be done,” said Remulla. “Our priority is the welfare of the country, with no other motives.”
