Senator Imee Marcos has called on the Office of the Ombudsman to investigate several key government officials over the arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte last March 11.
Marcos named Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla, Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla, Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief General Rommel Marbil, and Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) Chief Nicolas Torre III in her recommendation, which stems from additional findings of the Senate foreign relations committee’s probe.
The senator alleged that the following violations were committed:
- Justice Secretary Remulla: Violation of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act (RA 3019) for authorizing an invalid administrative arrest of Duterte; Usurpation of Judicial Functions; Grave Misconduct; and Conduct Prejudicial to the Best Interest of Public Service.
- Interior Secretary Remulla: Arbitrary Detention; Violation of RA 3019 for allegedly influencing General Torre and General Marbil to commit unlawful acts; Grave Misconduct; and Conduct Prejudicial to the Best Interest of Public Service.
- PNP Chief Marbil: Arbitrary Detention; Violation of RA 3019 for alleged inducement of General Torre to violate the law; Grave Misconduct; and Conduct Prejudicial to the Best Interest of Public Service.
- CIDG Chief Torre: Two counts of Arbitrary Detention related to Duterte and former Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea; Violation of RA 7438 for allegedly denying Duterte’s visitors and forcing his lawyers to leave; Violation of RA 3019 for succumbing to external pressure to break the law; Grave Misconduct; and Conduct Prejudicial to the Best Interest of Public Service.
In response to Marcos’ move, Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla said, “I’m happy that she believes in due process unlike the people she is defending.”
Meanwhile, GMA News Online has requested comments from Justice Secretary Remulla, General Marbil, and General Torre, but no responses had been received at the time of posting.
In addition, Senator Marcos recommended a separate investigation into Special Envoy for Transnational Crimes Ambassador Markus Lacanilao. She accused Lacanilao of usurping official functions, providing false testimony, committing perjury, and conduct prejudicial to public service.