Juanito Jose Remulla III, the eldest son of Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla, has pleaded not guilty to illegal drug possession charges according to one of his lawyers on Friday, November 4.

The younger Remulla has been tagged in the importation of high-grade marijuana or 1 kilogram of kush worth P1.3 million during the controlled delivery operation conducted by anti-narcotic agency in Las Piñas City last October 11.

Juanito faces a penalty of life imprisonment and a fine ranging from P500,000 to P10 million if found guilty, which is a violation on Section 11 of RA No. 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act.

Aside from this, he could be facing charges of illegal drug importation and violation of customs law under Pasay City Prosecutor’s Office.

The prosecutors of Las Piñas City did not recommend bail for younger Remulla.

One of Remulla’s lawyers, Jose Christopher “Kit” Belmonete, said over a report that the arraignment was conducted through video conferencing.

A schedule for presenting the evidence has yet to be set.

Earlier, Justice Secretary Remulla assured the public that he would not “intervene” with his son’s case, saying he will have to face his “predicament as a fully emancipated child.”

This sparked appeals for resignation from his post as Boying “lost his moral right” to be the Justice secretary.

Even lawmakers prompted questions on how impartial the probe will be conducted under the Justice department.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., Cavite politicians, and few senators backed the older Remulla’s integrity, saying there is “no basis” for him to resign on account of his son’s offense.