New DOJ undersecretary named

MANILA, Philippines - President Aquino has appointed Assistant Secretary Zabedin Azis as the new undersecretary of the Department of Justice (DOJ).

Azis assumed the post vacated by Undersecretary Leah Tanondra-Armamento, who was earlier appointed as a commissioner of the Commission on Human Rights, after taking his oath of office in Malacañang last month.

The STAR obtained a copy of his appointment paper dated Aug. 3 and signed by Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa.

His appointment was personally recommended to the President by DOJ Secretary Leila de Lima, who cited his “proven track records of probity, integrity and transparency” in the department.

De Lima lauded the appointment of Azis, saying he “has greatly helped the institution in streamlining several financial processes and in commanding efficient and speedy service within the organization” since his appointment in 2010 as assistant secretary for financial services of the DOJ.

The DOJ chief also pointed out the previous “sensitive and significant assignments” of Azis, including his being chair of the fact-finding investigation team on the electoral sabotage cases in the 2005 and 2007 elections.

Azis, a certified public accountant and alumnus of San Beda College of Law, has been a state prosecutor since 2005. The 56-year-old official is a native of Lanao del Sur.

Now as undersecretary, he is tasked to supervise the DOJ’s administrative and financial services and the Land Registration Authority, an attached agency.