New prosecutor general’s challenge: Provide justice for all

INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines – Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra on Monday said he would tell the newly appointed Prosecutor General to use the National Prosecution Service (NPS) to provide justice for all.

Atty. Benedicto Malcontento has been appointed by President Rodrigo Duterte as the Prosecutor General. The Prosecutor General is the head of the NPS, the prosecutorial arm of the Department of Justice (DOJ).

“I will meet him tomorrow for the first time. I will tell him to make the DOJ National Prosecution Service an instrument to achieve justice for all regardless of political color, religious belief and social economic status. Justitiae pax (Justice for all),” Guevarra said in a text message.

Malcontento, a fraternity brother of President Rodrigo Duterte, is a partner of the Jovellanos-Kho Malcontento and Associates Law Offices (formerly Kho Bustos Malcontento Argosino Law Offices).

He graduated law from San Beda College.

He will be replacing Senior Deputy State Prosecutor Richard Anthony Fadullon who took over the post as Officer-in-Charge from Makati City Prosecutor Jorge Catalan. Catalan was OIC following the retirement of Victor Sepulveda.

When asked about the President’s choice, Guevarra said: “The President knows him from way back.”

“Atty. Malcontento is a lawyer with exposure in criminal litigation. He will jive with the NPS in time,” said Guevarra.

Fadullon, a career official will go back to his old position as Senior Deputy State Prosecutor.