Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla has brushed off an online petition demanding a reduction in his salary over his alleged failure to capture high-profile fugitives, stating that critics are welcome to take his entire government pay.
The Interior Secretary revealed that he has not touched a single centavo of his salary since assuming his Cabinet post, emphasizing that his public service is not driven by financial compensation.
’Motivated by Duty’
Responding to the online campaign, Remulla maintained that his motivations for remaining in public office transcend his official paycheck, framing his leadership around national service.
“Duty and for the good of the country.”
”Tungkulin at para sa ikabubuti ng bansa.”
According to reports from the Commission on Audit (COA), the chief of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) receives an annual salary of ₱4.672 million—an amount the petitioning group argues is unjustified given his performance.
Critics Cite Failure to Catch High-Profile Fugitives
The petitioning group launched the campaign after accusing Remulla of repeatedly failing to execute his mandate since joining the Cabinet in 2024. The group underscored that during Remulla’s two-year tenure, the DILG and its attached law enforcement agencies have failed to apprehend several controversial, high-profile figures.
Among those listed by the critics are:
- Former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque
- Businessman Atong Ang
- Former Ako Bicol Party-list Representative Zaldy Co
- Former Bureau of Corrections Director-General Gerald Bantag
The petitioners also took aim at Remulla for allegedly failing to hold Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa accountable, calling the situation the tipping point of his leadership.
“His inaction, that eventually let Bato dela Rosa evade accountability, is the final straw in a long line of incompetence and dereliction of duty,”
”Ang kanyang kawalan ng aksyon, na sa huli ay nagbigay-daan kay Bato dela Rosa upang takasan ang pananagutan, ang huling patak sa mahabang serye ng kawalan ng kakayahan at pagpapabaya sa tungkulin,” the group stated.
Backlash Over Anti-Poor Initiatives
Beyond the failed arrests, the group slammed the DILG’s operational priorities, claiming that the department has disproportionately targeted marginalized sectors instead of major criminals.
The petitioners pointed out that during the height of the oil price crisis in April, the DILG focused its resources on detaining nearly 120,000 working-class and young Filipinos for vagrancy violations. Furthermore, they criticized the agency’s flagship “Safer Cities Initiative,” labeling it an expensive, superficial program that harms poor communities.
“Remulla’s Safer Cities Initiative, much like many of his other operations, failed to portray him as a tough guy on crime, while wasting government resources on a near-sighted, anti-poor measure,”
”Ang Safer Cities Initiative ni Remulla, tulad ng marami sa kanyang iba pang operasyon, ay bigo na ipakita siya bilang isang matigas na lider laban sa krimen, habang inasaya lang ang pondo ng gobyerno sa isang kapos-pananaw at anti-mahirap na hakbang,” the group added.
Remulla has yet to issue further statements regarding the specific operational criticisms leveled against the DILG’s flagship crime programs.