Jesus Crispin Remulla

Jesus Crispin “Boying” Catibayan Remulla is the incumbent secretary of the Philippine Department of Justice, appointed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., a friend for whom his influential family in Cavite delivered the votes in the presidential election of 2022.

As DOJ chief, Remulla has prioritized prison reforms, going after erring prosecutors, and the digitalization of the justice system to improve efficiency and accessibility. He has also been proactive in addressing human trafficking and cybercrime, reflecting his commitment to adapting the justice system to contemporary challenges.

Remulla, a lawyer who earned his degree from the University of the Philippines College of Law, is the son of the late Cavite kingpin Juanito Remulla. He, his brothers, and his sons have alternately held local elective posts in their home province while adhering to a family rule that only three family members should run for any position at the same time.

Boying Remulla began his public service career as a member of the Cavite Provincial Board in 1992, but went back to private law practice after only one term. He returned to government in 1998, when then-president Joseph Estrada appointed him undersecretary at the Presidential Management Staff office. When Estrada was ousted in 2001, Boying served as his spokesman, as well as of Estrada’s party, Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino. He later became the chief of staff of former first lady Luisa “Loi” Ejercito, who was elected senator that year.

In 2004, he was elected congressman of Cavite’s 3rd District, and went on to serve for two terms. During that time, he and the two other congressmen of Cavite sponsored a law that would reapportion the province into seven districts (to date, it has eight districts), commensurate with the size of its population. From 2010 to 2013, he served as congressman of the 7th District.

Remulla had an unsuccessful bid as mayor of Tagaytay City, which is part of the 7th District, in the 2013 elections. From 2016 to 2019, he served as Cavite governor, between the terms of his brother Juanito Jr. (Jonvic). During his term, Boying also sat as chairman of the Regional Peace and Order Council of Calabarzon.

He returned to the House of Representatives in 2019. As senior deputy majority leader, he was among those who led the hearings that eventually resulted in the non-renewal of the franchise of broadcast giant ABS-CBN, citing various alleged violations of the previous franchise.

In 2022, he was reelected, unopposed, but had to immediately vacate his congressional seat after President Marcos named him justice secretary. A special election was held for his district, where his son Crispin Diego won.

Remulla is married, with five children.