MANILA, Philippines—Justice Secretary Leila De Lima confirmed Thursday that retired General Gaudencio Pangilinan who is facing a plunder complaint before the Department of Justice (DoJ) is the new chief of the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor).
Pangilinan replaced Ernesto Diokno who resigned at the height of the controversy surrounding the caper of former Batangas Governor Antonio Leviste.
Pangilinan was included in the amended complaint filed by retired Army Lieutenant Colonel George Rabusa in connection with the fund anomaly inside the military.
Rabusa, in his complaint said Pangilinan may have served as executive assistant of Armed Forces Chief of Staff Arturo Enrile and may have served as “bagman” in the process.
De Lima said “he remains innocent until proven otherwise.”
“His background would come in handy in terms of breaking the syndicates inside [the national penitentiary],” De Lima told reporters at a press conference.
“We have a process to follow. Assuming he will be indicted, there are remedies or perhaps he would be gentleman enough to tender his resignation,” she added.