I will be DOJ chief for Filipinos, not just Muslims — Datumanong

A Muslim justice secretary doesn’t mean being pro-Muslim, especially when it comes to dealing with those who have violated the law.

This was what newly installed justice chief Simeon Datumanong promised to the public yesterday to allay fears of certain sectors that he would be biased in favor of Muslims, especially the Abu Sayyaf bandit group and other Muslim groups like the separatist Moro Islamic Liberation Front and the Moro National Liberation Front.

"That’s how Secretary Simeon Datumanong will be, he would be secretary of the Filipino people, secretary of this government," he told the Department of Justice (DOJ) employees and officials during yesterday’s flag ceremony.

"If they are apprehensive that being a Muslim, my actuations will be biased, they should have raised the same apprehension when one who was in this department was a Visayan. I am Muslim, that’s God-given. I was born a Muslim and have remained a Muslim. I think I should even be appreciated for remaining steadfast in my religion," he asserted.

The 67-year old former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) chief said that his religion believes in peace, justice and that the God of the Muslims is the same God of Christians and all the people in the world.

"There is only one God in this whole universe," he stressed.

Datumanong is expected to assume office at the end of this month as he was allowed by President Arroyo to finish his commitments at the DPWH before taking over the DOJ.

Conceding that he is no legal luminary, the incoming justice secretary expressed optimism that he could do his job well because he is surrounded by a team of legal stalwarts.

"My lack of law practice is not an issue, I’m surrounded by brilliant lawyers anyway," he said, adding that all that he has to do is provide the leadership.

He disclosed that this was the very same fear the DPWH personnel felt when he was appointed public works secretary because he was not an engineer.

"I think I proved them wrong. After all, I realized that I was not a liability, I was not a disgrace to the DPWH," he said.

Being a Sigma Rhoan is not a problem, either. Datumanong, a member of the UP’s Sigma Rho fraternity, having graduated from the UP College of Law in 1959, said in fact he is proud to be in the league of achievers.

The fraternity, which has an extensive network in the legal community, counts as members former Senate president Jovito Salonga, the late chief justice and Senate president Marcelo Fernan, incumbents Senate chief Franklin Drilon and opposition Sen. Edgardo Angara, who was also a one-time Senate president.

Meanwhile, just as Datumanong yesterday addressed the DOJ officials and employees for the first time, his successor at the DPWH, former Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chairman Bayani Fernando, reported at the DPWH yesterday and was given a lengthy briefing.

In an earlier interview, Datumanong said that he was satisfied that Fernando, a civil engineer, was chosen by the President for the public works post.

Sources said Fernando has been given instructions by the President to continue the vehicle repair scam investigation which had already dismissed the first batch of 16 DPWH officials found guilty of graft and other administrative violations. At least 17 more are set to undergo administrative hearings.

However, Fernando would only be serving in acting capacity as he is keeping his MMDA post.