Gutierrez is DOJ OIC; Lina, Reyes back out of Senate race

President Arroyo has designated Undersecretary Merceditas Gutierrez as officer-in-charge of the Department Of Justice (DOJ) following the resignation of Justice Secretary Simeon Datumanong.

Presidential Spokesman Ignacio Bunye, however, clarified that Gutierrez’s designation yesterday as OIC in the justice department is not a permanent arrangement. Datumanong plans to run in his old congressional district in Maguindanao in the May 2004 polls.

"We don’t have a permanent replacement yet. But I understand that Undersecretary Gutierrez will be the officer-in-charge," Bunye said.

Meanwhile, Interior and Local Government Secretary Jose Lina Jr. and Secretary Angelo Reyes, head of the National Anti-Kidnapping Task Force (NAKTAF), announced yesterday that they are abandoning their plans to run for senator and would merely continue with their present jobs.

Bunye refused to name the replacement for Datumanong until the appointment papers of the new DOJ chief are signed by Mrs. Arroyo.

"As a matter of procedure, we make the announcement once the appointment papers have been signed. That’s the procedure that we’re sticking to," Bunye pointed out.

He only said that "he is very qualified" and "has gone through very strict screening process" and supports the agenda of the President.

Gutierrez welcomed her designation as OIC of the DOJ and thanked Mrs. Arroyo for her trust in her.

She promised to do her best, saying that she will try to institute reforms and dispose of cases in the DOJ in the most efficient and expeditious way.

The DOJ Employee’s Association said that Gutierrez’s appointment as OIC is fine with them. "It’s okay. We already know her because she’s been here in the DOJ for a long time," Danilo Bulosan, vice president of the DOJEA, told The STAR.

Reyes made the announcement after he formally presented to Mrs. Arroyo two-year-old kidnap victim Jethro Chua, who was rescued from his abductors.

"I would rather spend time doing work trying to make a difference than campaigning (for elections)," Reyes said.

Mrs. Arroyo thanked Reyes for NAKTAF’s latest success and his decision to give up his political plans in favor of helping her administration in the campaign against kidnapping.

Lina, on the other hand, said that he would just continue as DILG secretary.

Lina’s low rating in surveys has reportedly made him back out from his political plans. "But there are deeper reasons than that," Lina told The STAR but refused to elaborate.

But Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Bayani Fernando, who has declared his intention to run for vice president as Mrs. Arroyo’s running mate, is reportedly proceeding with his political plans even if Mrs. Arroyo has chosen Sen. Noli de Castro as the administration’s vice presidential bet.

At his press briefing at the Palace yesterday, Bunye said he has no direct information if indeed the MMDA chairman would still run as vice president.

"We hope Chairman Fernando would really think very thoroughly and act in the best interest of the country," Bunye said.

In a related development, Agrarian Reform Secretary Roberto Pagdanganan will resign from his post and file his certificate of candidacy for senator under the administration ticket on Monday, a highly reliable source said.

The STAR source quoted Pagdanganan as saying that he would run for senator to make sure that the agrarian reform issue will be given proper attention.

Pagdanganan, who assumed post last Jan. 20, denied reports that he is running for Bulacan governor. He said one of his sons is the one running for governor. — With Aurea Calica, Mike Frialde