Marcos still confident with Jonvic Remulla as DILG chief

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Friday dismissed rumors that Jonvic Remulla will be replaced as secretary of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), saying that he remains satisfied with the Cabinet official’s performance.

The President told this to reporters as he concluded his four-day state visit to Japan, when asked if he is still satisfied with Remulla as DILG chief considering that several fugitives of justice were able to get past law enforcement recently.

“Yes. I don't know why that rumor went around. I think somebody wants his job kaya kinakalat na matatanggal na siya para siguro, ang inaasahan nila sila ‘yung mailagay. Pero wala kaming pinaplano na ganyan,” Marcos said in an interview.

(I think somebody wants his job that’s why they're spreading the word that he's going to be fired. Maybe they're expecting that they’ll be the ones to replace Remulla. But we're not planning anything like that.)

Calls for Remulla’s replacement as DILG secretary grew after former Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Zaldy Co was able to get out of Czech custody in April.

This was further triggered by the controversial shooting incident at the Senate earlier this month, followed by the escape of Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa from the chamber’s premises.

But Marcos explained that the only latest change in his Cabinet was in the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) because former secretary Bienvenido Laguesma asked to take a step back due to health concerns.

Former senator Francis Tolentino is now serving as acting secretary of DOLE.

More appointments?

Aside from Tolentino, who lost in the 2025 midterm elections, Marcos said he may give other government posts to former candidates now that the one-year appointment ban has lapsed.

“Possibly. Kasi nga nag-lapse na ‘yung (because it has lapsed, the) one-year ban for candidates that did not make it in the last election,” he said.

“Marami namang magagaling diyan. I’m not talking just the senatorial candidates. Maraming iba na tumakbo for whatever position na sa palagay ko magagaling at makakapag-contribute sa pamahalaan,” he added.

(Many of them are good. I’m not talking just about the senatorial candidates. There are many others who have run for whatever position that I think are good and can contribute to the government.)

Marcos also emphasized that his administration has “to get the best talent that we can” even from the roster who failed to win in the past elections. — RSJ, GMA News