Roxas right-hand man vies for Judiciary post

Interior Secretary Manuel “Mar” Roxas II. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—Interior Undersecretary Rafael Santos said his decision to vie for a post in the Judiciary has a blessing from Interior Secretary Manuel Roxas II.

During Thursday’s interview with Santos, he was asked by lawyer Jose Mejia if it is okay for Roxas to lose an able undersecretary.

Santos said he has Roxas’ blessing.

Santos was Transportation Undersecretary for Operations at the time when Roxas was DOTC chief.

When Roxas succeeded Jesse Robredo who died following a plane crash off Masbate in August last year, he appointed Santos as DILG Undersecretary.

He was also asked about his advantage being an outsider.

Santos admitted that he has no judiciary experience. Still, he said he does not see any problem being an outsider because he managed to overcome challenges in every position he occupies.

Aside from Santos, others vying for the post vacated by Presiding Justice Francisco Villaruz Jr. include Court of Appeals Associate Justice Apolinario Bruselas, Sandiganbayan Justice Amparo Cabotaje-Tang, Atty. Jsper Lucero, Sandiganbayan Justice Efren Dela Cruz, Sandiganbayan Justices Teresita Diaz-Baldos, Gregory Ong and Alex Quiroz.