MANILA – Malacañang said President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. continues to trust Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla despite criticism surrounding recent law enforcement controversies, including the reported escape of Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa and issues involving fugitive former lawmaker Zaldy Co.

Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said there is no indication that the President has withdrawn his confidence in Remulla, rejecting speculation about his possible removal.

“Wala naman po akong nakitaan na natanggal ang tiwala ng Pangulo kay Secretary Jonvic Remulla sa ngayon (I have not seen anything that has caused the President to lose confidence in Secretary Jonvic Remulla so far),” Castro said in a Palace briefing.

The statement was issued amid calls for Remulla’s replacement following the Senate shooting incident that allegedly allowed dela Rosa, who is facing an International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant, to leave Senate premises.

Remulla has also been criticized over conflicting reports involving Co, who is linked to a flood control scandal.

Castro also denied online claims naming former Interior secretary Benhur Abalos and former senator Antonio Trillanes IV as possible replacements for Remulla.

“Wala pa pong ganoong ibinibigay sa ating mga impormasyon (I have not received any information like that),” she said.

Meanwhile, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) said its actions regarding dela Rosa were not an indication of refusal to enforce the law.

The DILG cited Section 17 of Republic Act 9851, noting that when the ICC issues a warrant in cases involving alleged crimes against humanity in the Philippines, the government may either surrender the individual to the ICC or proceed with domestic prosecution.

It said that in dela Rosa’s case, President Marcos had earlier instructed agencies, including the DILG and the Philippine National Police (PNP), to wait for a Supreme Court ruling on the enforceability of the ICC warrant without a Philippine court order.

Acting Justice Secretary Fredderick Vida also earlier said there was “no order for manhunt,” and that enforcement actions remained conditional pending Supreme Court proceedings and the Senate’s decision to place dela Rosa under protective custody.

“These are not acts of inaction, but adherence to constitutional order, due process, and the rule of law,” the DILG said.