Lina named BJMP OIC

A Quezon City judge stopped yesterday two aspirants for the top post of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) from assuming the post and appointed Interior and Local Government Secretary Jose Lina to temporarily head the bureau.

Judge Modesto Juanson of Regional Trial Court Branch 216 issued the "cease and desist order" while Malacañang is finalizing who, between Chief Superintendent Arturo Alit and Senior Superintendent Josue Engano, is supposed to head the BJMP.

"In the interest of public service and in the exercise of judicial activism, a cease and desist order is hereby issued, restraining both parties Alit and Engano from performing and discharging the duties and control of the BJMP," Juanson said in his two-page order.

Juanson also asked the Office of the President to make a definite stand within 10 days whether it is appointing Engano or retaining Alit. Engano and Alit are in "tug-of-war" over the BJMP top post.

Alit has been the BJMP director since March 29, after Lina appointed him in acting capacity. President Arroyo, however, signed Engano’s appointment to the BJMP last month. Engano, who took his oath before Sen. Robert Barbers on Sept. 27, said, as far as his appointment is concerned, "it is already completed and he had been (performing) his duties and (assuming the) responsibilities of the BJMP director." – Cecille Suerte Felipe