Guevarra names new OIC prosecutor general

MANILA, Philippines — Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra has designated Senior Deputy Prosecutor Richard Anthony Fadullon as the officer-in-charge prosecutor general.

Fadullon will serve as the head of the prosecution service of the Department of Justice, pending President Rodrigo Duterte’s appointment of a new prosecutor general.

“OIC Prosecutor General Fadullon is hereby authorized to discharge the powers and mandate of said office in addition to his present duties and responsibilities, in accordance with existing rules and regulations,” reads Department Order No. 384 signed by Guevarra.

Fadullon will take the seat of Makati City Prosecutor Jorge Catalan Jr., who, on Thursday, asked to be relieved of his duties as acting prosecutor general. He said that he wanted to focus on serving as Makati City prosecutor and he “cannot compromise and sacrifice performance and productivity by holding on to both offices.”

Guevarra granted Catalan’s request.

According to Republic Act 10071, the prosecutor general exercises administrative supervision over prosecution offices in the National Capital Region. He also sits as the chairperson of Selection and Promotion Board that screens for appointment or promotion to any prosecutorial position in the Office of the Prosecutor General.

Most criminal cases are also filed before the Office of the Prosecutor General.

He also heads the prosecution team—composed of more than 100 state prosecutors—under the Justice department.

Revamp at DOJ

Guevarra also said that “new key appointments at the DOJ will be announced in the next few days.”

Weeks after Guevarra assumed his position as new justice chief, he issued a memorandum directing DOJ officials to hand in their courtesy resignations.

The DOJ chief issued the order following the resignation last month of his predecessor, former Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II, “in the exigency of service and in order to give the undersigned a free hand to perform the mandate given to him by the President.”