Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Juanito Victor ”Jonvic” Remulla congratulated Reina Mercedes, Isabela Vice Mayor Jeryll Harold Respicio after the local official tested negative for illegal drug use, while taking a swipe at the vice mayor’s temperament.
Remulla issued the statement when asked to comment on Respicio’s public release of an official drug-screening report from St. Luke’s Medical Center in Quezon City showing negative results for illicit substances.
”Congratulations,” Remulla said when asked to react to the vice mayor passing the drug test.
The DILG chief immediately followed his congratulatory remark with a sharp critique regarding Respicio’s public conduct and behavior during official proceedings.
”Now that it’s confirmed he’s not on shabu, totoo na talaga na natural ang sayad ng utak niya,” Remulla also said.
The exchange between the two officials follows a viral video showing Respicio in a heated altercation during a Sangguniang Bayan session, which originally prompted Remulla to challenge the vice mayor to undergo drug testing.