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Alexis Romero - The Philippine Star
May 30, 2026 | 12:00am
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. capped his four-day state visit to Japan with a press briefing on May 29, 2026 underscoring the renewed strength of Philippine-Japan relations.
PPA Pool Photos by Marianne Bermudez
TOKYO — President Marcos has dispelled rumors that Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla is on his way out of the Cabinet.
“I don’t know why that rumor went around. I think somebody wants his job. So they are spreading rumors that he will be replaced and they are hoping that they will be appointed. But we don’t have such a plan,” Marcos said when asked if he was still satisfied with Remulla’s performance, given the number of fugitives being able to get past law enforcers.
“The only latest change in the Cabinet was in DOLE (Department of Labor and Employment). Because secretary Benny (Laguesma) has asked to take a step back,” Marcos said.
Remulla has drawn flak recently over his handling of some high-profile law enforcement issues. He was criticized after Sen. Ronald dela Rosa, who has an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court for alleged crimes against humanity, managed to slip out of the Senate building this month.
In April, Remulla apologized for saying that flood control scam suspect and former lawmaker Zaldy Co could be brought back to the Philippines in one to three weeks.
Co, who has an arrest warrant for alleged malversation of public funds and graft over a questionable road dike project, has reportedly applied for political asylum in France.
More losing bets may be appointed
Weeks after the one-year ban on appointing losing candidates ended, Marcos raised the possibility of more unsuccessful bets being named to government posts, saying many of them are capable of contributing to the government.
“Possibly. Because the one-year ban for candidates that did not make it in the last election has lapsed. Many of them are competent. I’m not talking about just the senatorial candidates,” the President told journalists yesterday here.
“Many ran for whatever position that I think can contribute to the government. So, don’t be surprised if we... get more appointments from those candidates who ran in the last election who didn’t make it... We have to get the best talent that we can. So yes, that’s a natural progression,” he added.
The 1987 Constitution states that no candidate who has lost in any election shall be appointed to any government post within one year.
The one-year ban on the appointment of candidates who lost in the 2025 polls ended last May 13.
Earlier this week, Marcos named former senator Francis Tolentino as labor secretary, replacing Bienvenido Laguesma.
