The Department of Justice (DOJ) Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said that preparations are underway for the possibility of a Supreme Court (SC) oral arguments concerning former President Rodrigo Duterte’s arrest.
“We are preparing. Of course, you always prepare. We cannot go there unprepared. We have to respect the standing of the Supreme Court,” he said during the Kapihan sa Manila Bay forum on Wednesday, March 19.
Remulla also addressed Solicitor General Menardo Guevarra’s recusal from the habeas corpus cases, maintaining that he considers it to be a personal reason.
According to Remulla, the Office of the Solicitor General and the DOJ are attached agencies. Therefore, if Guevarra did not want to use his office as a reason for his recusal, Remulla mentioned the DOJ would be more sufficient to defend the nation on the matter.
“The DOJ will be more sufficient to defend the position of the Republic in this matter. It’s a time to assert our identity as the lawyer of the people in this case,” he said.
Despite this, Remulla said that it should not be a big deal, as Guevarra mentioned it is due to personal reasons.
“We will just move on from there and defend the case with the Supreme Court if we have to be on oral arguments,” he said.
If the higher court does call for oral arguments, Remulla said he would make an appearance if he has to.
The Calls for SolGen’s Resignation
On Monday, Guevarra declined to represent the Philippine government officials in the petitions before the SC, concerning Duterte’s arrest. He maintained that the ICC had no jurisdiction over the Philippines as it had already withdrawn from the Rome Statute in 2019.
Guevarra mentioned that he will be leaving calls for him to resign to the president.
When asked if he would be taking action on this, Remulla maintained that he cannot make any judgment on the matter.
“I have no comment on that. I cannot comment on that until he’s really beyond..to make any judgment. I just have to be a professional, and in this case, you just have to be very professional about our jobs,” he said.
He added, “Wala namang personalan ‘to trabaho lang.”
WATCH: Naghahanda na ang Department of Justice sa pagharap sa Korte Suprema sakaling magkaroon ng oral arguments kaugnay ng pag-aresto kay dating Pangulong Duterte kasunod na rin ng pagtanggi ni SolGen Menardo Guevarra. | RH 29 @boy_gonzales, DZRH News pic.twitter.com/gMDUE2guDJ
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