MANILA, Philippines — A revamp in the Department of Justice is in order.
Justice undersecretaries and assistant secretaries who served under the helm of former Justice chief Vitaliano Aguirre II have all tendered their courtesy resignations, following Aguirre's stepping down from his post.
Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra, in a one-page memorandum dated April 24 but made public on Monday, has ordered the justice officials to hand in their resignations before April 30.
Guevarra said that the order was “in exigency of service” and “to give [him] a free hand to perform the mandate given to him by [President Rodrigo Duterte].”
As of Monday, all officials have tendered their resignation letters. “Some much earlier,” Guevarra said in a message to reporters.
Four out of five Justice undersecretaries—designated during the stint of Aguirre—are members of the Lex Talionis Fraternity, the brotherhood of Aguirre and Duterte. Undersecretaries Antonio Kho Jr., Erickson Balmes, Raymund Mecate and Reynante Orceo are all members of the fraternity, while Usec. Deo Marco is a son of a Lex Talionis member.
Guevarra also asked the following assistant secretaries to hand in their courtesy resignation:
- Adonis Sulit
- Juvy Manwong
- George Ortha II
- Moslemen Macarambon Sr.
- Cheryl Daytec-Yañgot
- Sergio Yap II
- Margaret Padilla
Guevarra said that until Duterte acts on the resignations, the above-named justice department officials shall continue to carry out their duties.
As of April 30, Guevarra said that he has yet to find replacements of the vacated posts.
Guevarra was appointed as justice chief merely two hours after Duterte casually announced in a freestyle speech that he has accepted the resignation of his “fraternity brother Vit Aguirre.”
Upon his assumption of duty, Guevarra has vowed that he will "restore DOJ's dignified and respectable image."
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