DOJ: No fractured government

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin "Boying" C. Remulla assured the public on Wednesday that the Department of Justice (DOJ) remains steadfast in protecting the President and the nation against any form of lawlessness.

"The DOJ will never back down against insurgency or any form of lawlessness and will forever remain committed to protecting not only the Chief Executive but the entire Filipino nation as well," said Remulla.

This statement comes as the DOJ addressed former President Rodrigo Duterte’s remarks describing the current administration as a "fractured government" and implying the need for military intervention.

The DOJ categorically denied Duterte's claims, emphasizing the absence of any such dysfunction in governance.

Undersecretary Jesse Hermogenes T. Andres criticized Duterte's "seditious and legally actionable" statements, calling them a disservice to the nation.

“It is a great disservice to the country and an insult to the working bureaucracy for the former President to portray the government as if it is no longer delivering socio-economic assistance, health services, police protection, judicial recourse, and other services of a fully functioning democracy. We have an effective and strong Republic," Andres stated.

He further emphasized that the military has no role in civil governance and warned against provoking it into action. "Instigating the military to take action as a supposed ‘remedy’ is totally uncalled for and out of order," Andres said. "Such actions may be considered seditious and legally actionable."

The DOJ also clarified that legal questions about the actions of the executive and legislative branches fall under the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court, not former President Duterte.

Andres furthered stressed that only the Supreme Court can make pronouncements on the legal infirmities of the actions of the executive and legislative branches.