CA confirms Guevarra’s ad interim appointment as justice secretary

Justice Secretary Menardo Ilasco Guevarra’s ad interim appointment has been confirmed by the powerful Commission on Appointments (CA).

No member of the Commission objected when Senator Sherwin Gatchalian, as chairman of the CA’s committee on justice and judicial and bar council, moved for Guevarra’s confirmation at the plenary on Wednesday.

“Secretary Guevarra’s considerable experience in government, from entry-level positions all the way to the highest levels of the executive branch, should serve him well in his new role, as will the expertise in criminal law he has amassed over decades of experience as a veteran private practitioner and law professor,” Gatchalian said in his sponsorship speech.

“Significantly, it seems that Secretary Guevarra is well aware of the challenges facing the DOJ after recent controversies, and is willing to face these challenges head-on.”

“He has pledged to reform the DOJ’s image and transform the department into a ‘cornerstone of our justice system,’ to use his own words,” the senator added.

During his short time on the job so far, Gatchalian said Guevarra has been “pro-active in fulfilling this ambitious but worthy promise.”

“I hope that the good Secretary will stay true to his word, and pursue his vision for the Department of Justice with courage, perseverance, and integrity,” Gatchalian said.

Aside from Guevarra, the CA also confirmed the ad interim appointments of Agrarian Reform Secretary John Rualo Castriciones and Elections Commissioner Socorro Inting. /kga