JANUARY 23, 2026 — Former Senator Antonio Trillanes IV has stirred the pot once again, this time questioning whether Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla’s endless press conferences are overshadowing the real work of search operations. With Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa still missing from Senate sessions since November 2025 and whispers of an ICC warrant swirling, Trillanes is asking what many Filipinos are already thinking: is Remulla spending more time talking than doing?

Trillanes didn’t hold back: “‘Yan po ay responsibilidad po ng DILG. Kung bawas-bawasan siguro ni Secretary Jonvic Remulla ‘yung kanyang pag-presscon ay mas matututukan niya ‘yung paghahanap.”

(That is the responsibility of the DILG. If Secretary Jonvic Remulla reduced his press conferences, he could focus more on the search.)

He added, “Ang dami nang nawawala. Si Bantag, si Leonardo, eto ngayon si Bato Dela Rosa, tapos si Atong Ang. Ang dami nang nawawala hindi naman nila nahahanap. So I hope he’s doing his job.”

(So many have gone missing. Bantag, Leonardo, now Bato Dela Rosa, then Atong Ang. So many are missing and they haven’t been found. So I hope he’s doing his job.)

The list of elusive figures is long: Gerald Bantag, wanted over the Percy Lapid case; businessman Atong Ang, linked to the sabungeros scandal; Edilberto Leonardo, facing murder charges; and now Dela Rosa, who insists he is “waiting for justice to emerge and take over.” His lawyer admits he hasn’t spoken to him and can’t confirm if he’s even in the country.

So does Trillanes have a point? If the Interior Secretary is busy giving interviews, does that mean less time for actual search operations? Or is this all part of a bigger play? 

Let’s not forget — Jonvic Remulla has previously floated the idea of running for president. Could these frequent press conferences be less about accountability and more about visibility?

Every missing figure chips away at trust in institutions meant to uphold justice. 

The bigger question now is, are Remulla’s presscons helping the public better understand the situation — or helping him build a platform for future ambitions? Is Remulla searching for fugitives — or for votes?

(Image: Philippine News Agency)