Libanan is new solicitor general

Eastern Samar Rep. Marcelino Libanan, secretary general of the ruling party Lakas, is the new solicitor general.

In a radio interview yesterday, Libanan himself made the announcement, saying he has accepted President Arroyo’s offer for him to succeed former Western Samar Rep. Eduardo Nachura, who has been appointed Supreme Court justice.

Libanan said the post was first offered to Government Corporate Counsel Agnes Devanadera but that the latter refused.

He said he would assume his new job in March after he signs the nomination papers of local and congressional candidates of Lakas.

Libanan is now on his third and last term as congressman of Eastern Samar, one of the poorest provinces in the country. He is fielding his wife for his congressional seat in the May elections.

He is joining several former House colleagues in Mrs. Arroyo’s official family.

Secretaries Rolando Andaya Jr. of budget, Ronaldo Puno of the Interior and Local Government and Jesli Lapus of Education as well as Presidential Legal Counsel Sergio Apostol are all former congressmen.

More Lakas members who are on their last term like Libanan are expected to get government posts.