Guevarra gives Bantag three major objectives for BuCor

MANILA, Philippines – Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra on Wednesday gave newly-appointed Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) Director General Gerald Bantag three major objectives to focus on once he assumes his post.

Bantag met with Guevarra at the Department of Justice (DOJ) on Wednesday about the steps he needed to be able to make effective his new designation.

“I met with BuCor DG Bantag for the first time this morning. I told him to focus on three major objectives, in the order of urgency: 1. Clean up the GCTA mess; 2. Full computerization; and 3. Stop illegal drug trade inside,” Guevarra told reporters when sought for more details about the meeting.

Bantag did not give an interview to the media as he immediately left the DOJ after the meeting.

While Guevarra said he is not privy to the circumstances of Bantag’s appointment, he said, “The President is not required to consult me before making this appointment. I’m sure the President has good reasons for appointing Gerald Bantag as the new BuCor chief.”

“The President has total discretion and absolute prerogative in the appointment of the BuCor Director General,” he said.

The BuCor is an attached agency of the DOJ. But Section 12 of Republic Act No. 10575 or the BuCor Modernization Act of 2013 states that the bureau’s director general “is appointed by the President upon the recommendation of the Secretary of the DOJ, with the proper endorsement by the Chairman of the Civil Service Commission.” /je

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