Remulla on courtesy resignation order: Marcos needs free hand

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla | INQUIRER.net / Tetch Torres-Tupas

MANILA, Philippines — Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla submitted his courtesy resignation on Thursday in compliance with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive.

“I am a soldier. I serve at the pleasure of the president,” Remulla said in reaction to the president’s call for all Cabinet secretaries to resign.

Remulla also said that as a leader, it is important that Marcos has a free hand in choosing the people that he can trust and who are the best in their respective fields.

“There’s always a review, that’s normal. It’s just so they have a free hand. Everyone has their own leadership style,” he told reporters.

Marcos made the call to recalibrate his administration following the results of the 2025 midterm elections.

READ: Marcos orders courtesy resignation of all Cabinet secretaries

Marcos emphasized that the order “is not about personalities— it’s about performance, alignment, and urgency.”/mcm