Duterte names Menardo Guevarra as justice secretary

Former Senior Deputy Executive Secretary Menardo Guevarra takes his oath before President Rodrigo Duterte as the new justice secretary. Palace Photo

President Rodrigo Duterte has named Senior Deputy Executive Secretary Menardo Guevarra as the new justice secretary, Malacañang said on Thursday.

“Inaanunsyo ko po na na-appoint na po ni Presidente Duterte si dating Senior Deputy Executive Secretary Menardo Guevarra bilang Secretary ng Department of Justice,” Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque told reporters at the palace.

(I’m announcing that President Duterte has appointed former Senior Deputy Executive Secretary Menardo Guevarra as Secretary ng Department of Justice.)

Guevarra was appointed following Duterte’s acceptance of Vitaliano Aguirre II’s resignation.

READ: Duterte accepts Aguirre’s resignation

Roque said Duterte signed the interim appointment paper of Guevarra on Thursday and took his oath immediately.

“The appointment paper was signed now,” he said.

“Dahil ang Congress ay (Because Congress is) on recess, so it’s a valid ad interim appointment. He is a full-fledged secretary,” he added.

The Palace official said the President has chosen Guevarra because of his competence and integrity.

“Alam po natin, kilala natin si Usec Guevarra, talaga namang napatunayan na ang kagalingan sa batas at integridad meron si Sec. Guevarra,” he said.

(We know Usec Guevarra, he has proven his competency with the law as well as his integrity.) /je

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