Remulla says he underwent bypass; will ‘never’ resign

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla on Thursday faced the media for the first time since he took his 10-day wellness leave, announcing that he had undergone a bypass surgery at the time.

Remulla said he had undergone a 7-hour procedure on June 27 after his physical examination the week before showed heart blockage.

“Ang swerte ko lang, never ako inaatake, never ako inaatake or na-stroke. Kaya ang swerte ko lang nakita talaga itong mga bara na pwedeng maging cause ng atake,” he said in at media briefing.

(I’m very fortunate that I never experienced a stroke. I’m fortunate that we saw these blockages that may cause a stroke.)

Remulla said he was discharged from the hospital five days later.

“At ngayon, I’m undergoing physical rehabilitation sessions kasi kapag na intubate kayo, hihina ang baga. At saka marami akong kahinaan ng katawaan, kaya nag a-ano po ako, I’m doing physical therapy,” he said.

(Now, I’m undergoing physical rehabilitation sessions because if you are intubated, your lungs will weaken. And I have many conditions, so I’m doing physical therapy.)

“Okay naman [I’m fine]. So far so good. My voice is very clear, my mind is very clear,” he added.

Not resigning

When asked if he is considering resigning from his post, Remulla said, “Never."

“I serve at the pleasure of the President. And I will continue to discharge my functions as long as the President believes in my capability to lead the department,” he said.

Remulla said he has also spoken to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who advised him to focus on getting his strength back.

“He’s very happy that I made the decisions that I did to go through the procedure and to come out of it very well. and I thank the President for the trust,” he said.

The Justice Secretary said he will “technically” be back to work on Monday but added that he cannot physically go to the office at the DOJ every day.

“I will be meeting the leadership on Monday. A lot of Usecs, Asecs, I’ll be meeting on Monday morning after the flag [ceremony] para sa instructions, para magkaroon ng mga direction, mga orders na kinakailangan,” Remulla said.

[I will be meeting the leadership on Monday. A lot of undersecretaries, assistant secretaries I’ll be meeting on Monday morning after the flag ceremony for instructions, directions and necessary orders.] — RSJ, GMA Integrated News