Jonvic Remulla officially assumes DILG chief post

Juanito Victor “Jonvic” Remulla officially assumed the post of Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) secretary in a turnover ceremony on Wednesday.

Benhur Abalos transferred the position to Remulla as the former DILG official was deemed resigned after he filed a certificate of candidacy for senator in the 2025 elections.

Remulla said President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. instructed him to recommend structural reforms for the various agencies under the DILG and improve the response of local governments to citizens.

The new DILG chief also vowed to close all Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) hubs in the country including the one in Island Cove Resort, which their family previously owned.

“As far as I am concerned, I will get all the list of POGOs and I will personally lock them down one by one personally. Lahat sila,” Remulla said in an ambush interview after the turnover ceremony.

“Kausap ko na sila kahapon (I talked to Island Cove POGO owners yesterday). It's my home province and the property used to be owned by my family. They will close down December 15 for good,” he added.

Aside from this, Remulla also wants to address some issues in the structure of the Philippines National Police (PNP) and remove the “politics” and “palakasan” system in the organization.

“I want to remove the politics from the PNP. I want to make it a merit-based system who gets promoted and who doesn't. Nangyari kasi ngayon palakasan (What is happening now is palakasan system),” explained Remulla.

“It's a very top-heavy organization. I think we have to flatten it a little bit. Ang bigat sa taas (It’s heavy in the high positions). So many generals, so many layers. I think we can do with less,” said the new DILG chief.

With the installation of Remulla as DILG chief, there are now two Remullas in the cabinet of the Marcos administration. The other one is his older brother, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla.

“We're very close and with respect for each other. We work together with local government. He's the most intelligent in my family. He's a master, really an expert, on the field of law. My expertise is in local government. I think together we can make a difference,” he said when asked about their dynamics.

--VAL, GMA Integrated News