Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla has affirmed that the Department of Justice (DOJ) will assemble the best legal minds to defend government officials cited in the consolidated habeas corpus petitions filed by the children of former president Rodrigo Duterte before the Supreme Court.

This decision follows Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin’s clearance for the DOJ to take over after Solicitor General Menardo Guevarra declined to represent the respondents in the case.

“I think we have to put our best legal minds to work. The DOJ will be more than sufficient to defend the Republic’s position. This is a time to assert our identity as the lawyer of the people,” Remulla said during the Kapihan sa Manila Bay forum.

He clarified that while the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) is an attached agency, Guevarra’s refusal was a personal decision.

“His refusal was not under my clearance. He does not clear things with me. But of course, I consider it a personal reason,” Remulla said.

He added, “If he did not want to use the OSG, that’s his own reason. But government resources should not be wasted at a time like this.”

Despite the shift in legal representation, Remulla emphasized that there is no conflict between him and Guevarra, stating, “I don’t think this is something to make a big deal of. We will move on from here and defend the case before the Supreme Court if oral arguments are required.”

The DOJ is now preparing for potential legal proceedings, should the case require further arguments.

“Yes, we are preparing for possible legal arguments if necessary. The matter is already beyond our legal system’s jurisdiction as it falls under the International Criminal Court (ICC), which operates extraterritorially,” Remulla explained.

He also pointed out that Republic Act 9851, or the Philippine Act on Crimes Against International Humanitarian Law and the country’s adherence to international law will be key considerations in the case.

“We will present this before the Supreme Court, as it will define and redefine how cases of this nature are handled — whether through judicial proceedings or executive action. In this case, we have chosen to take executive action,” Remulla concluded.