Duterte gets rare approval from De Lima

President Rodrigo Duterte's latest appointments, including the new Department of Justice (DOJ) secretary, got a rare approval from his staunchest critic, detained Senator Leila de Lima.

De Lima said Duterte's new appointees are all "good choices," and "men of honor, competence and integrity."

Duterte announced on Thursday that outgoing Philippine National Police chief Ronald dela Rosa will be replaced by National Capital Region Police Office chief Director Oscar Albayalde.

Western Mindanao Command chief Lieutenant General Carlito Galvez, who commanded troops in the infamous Marawi siege last year, will be the next chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines while Senior Deputy Executive Secretary Menardo Guevarra will take the place of resigned DOJ Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II.

While De Lima praised the latest appointments, the senator said she still doubted Duterte's for allowing Aguirre to step down.

"Much as I doubt the sincerity of the reasons why President Duterte let go of Secretary Aguirre, the new appointments made by him are as good as they can get under this administration," she said.

De Lima, detained at Camp Crame on drug trading-related charges, said that hopefully, Guevarra can "bring back the true dispensation of justice at the DOJ, bereft of any partisan and persecutorial agenda."

She also expressed hope that Albayalde can "return respect for human rights and genuine police work at the PNP" and that Galvez can "once more assert the defense of Philippine territories in the West Philippine Sea against China and effectively pursue the peace agenda in our internal security concerns."

She reminded the three incoming top officials that their duty and "loyalty lies first with the Constition and Republic and second only with the President."

"Gentlemen, there is no dishonor in doing what is right and firmly standing by it. You will be remembered for not how you serve this President, but for how well you serve your country, and your people inspite of him," she added. —Margaret Claire Layug/ALG, GMA News