DOJ chief fast-tracks resolution of cases

MANILA, Philippines - Justice Secretary Alberto Agra intends to resolve over 600 pending cases before he leaves office on June 30.

A team of 30 lawyers is working with him around the clock to resolve the appeals.

Agra said he aims to resolve pending controversial cases, including the appeal of a resolution clearing fishing magnate Lope Jimenez in the killing of Ruby Rose Barrameda.

“My only consideration is efficiency and public service,” he said.

“I hope I would not be faulted for being efficient on my job.”

Agra hopes his critics would realize that he is just doing his job.

“I’ll be accountable for this program,” he said.

Zero-backlog program has been his policy when he was solicitor general and government corporate counsel, Agra said.

Agra inherited a total of 1,147 pending motions for reconsideration at the Department of Justice from Secretary Agnes Devanadera.

As of last week, over 500 pending cases or around 45 percent were already resolved.

Among the controversial motions Agra had resolved was the appeal of families of victims of the Maguindanao massacre of his April16 resolution absolving detained Gov. Zaldy Ampatuan of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao and Maguindanao Vice Gov. Akmad “Tato” Ampatuan Sr.

In a resolution last May 5, he reversed his own decision based on testimony of a new witness presented by private prosecutors.