DOJ chief Gonzalez out; Devanadera takes over
MANILA, Philippines – Solicitor-General Agnes Devanadera formally took the reins as Justice Secretary from outgoing chief Raul Gonzalez in a simple turn-over ceremony Monday morning.
A GMA Flash Report said the ceremony became “a bit emotional" after Gonzalez – who held the post starting 2004 – kissed the tip of the Department of Justice flag before handing it over to Devanadera.
Gonzalez, who will now become President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s chief legal counsel, thanked the DOJ employees and asked them to support their new head.
He also congratulated Devanadera, who was named as his replacement last week after he requested for a “less strenuous" job. Earlier, Gonzalez announced his plan to run for mayor of Iloilo City in 2010.
Devanadera served as acting DOJ chief from September to November 2007 when Gonzalez went on a medical leave.
Earlier, deputy presidential spokesperson Lorelei Fajardo said Devanadera would continue being Solicitor-General until her replacement is named.
From September 2004 to March 2007, Devanadera headed the Office of the Government Corporate Counsel. From April 2003 to August 2004, she served as undersecretary for legal and legislative affairs of the Department of Interior and Local Government.
She also served as a member of the board of trustees of the Local Government Academy from October 2002 to March 2003.
Gonzalez ‘booted out?’
Sen. Panfilo Lacson, who is embroiled in the Dacer-Corbito double murder case that the DOJ is set to investigate, had speculated that Gonzalez was booted out of office because the outgoing Justice chief had been making public statements on the issue.
Lacson, a staunch administration critic, claimed that the Palace's plan was to keep secret the decision of former Senior Superintendent Cezar Mancao II to turn the tables on the senator and point to him as one of those behind the killing of publicist Salvador "Bubby" Dacer and driver Emmanuel Corbito in November 2000.
Lacson also alleged that Gonzalez was kicked out of the DOJ post because he "meddled" in the brewing war between two "rich and influential" taipans siblings, who he did not identify.
But Gonzalez simply dismissed Lacson's speculations.
"Hindi ko alam kung saan nanggaling yung issue na yun [I do not know where the issue came from]," he said in an interview on dzBB radio. - Johanna Camille Sisante, GMANews.TV
A GMA Flash Report said the ceremony became “a bit emotional" after Gonzalez – who held the post starting 2004 – kissed the tip of the Department of Justice flag before handing it over to Devanadera.
Gonzalez, who will now become President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s chief legal counsel, thanked the DOJ employees and asked them to support their new head.
He also congratulated Devanadera, who was named as his replacement last week after he requested for a “less strenuous" job. Earlier, Gonzalez announced his plan to run for mayor of Iloilo City in 2010.
Devanadera served as acting DOJ chief from September to November 2007 when Gonzalez went on a medical leave.
Earlier, deputy presidential spokesperson Lorelei Fajardo said Devanadera would continue being Solicitor-General until her replacement is named.
From September 2004 to March 2007, Devanadera headed the Office of the Government Corporate Counsel. From April 2003 to August 2004, she served as undersecretary for legal and legislative affairs of the Department of Interior and Local Government.
She also served as a member of the board of trustees of the Local Government Academy from October 2002 to March 2003.
Gonzalez ‘booted out?’
Sen. Panfilo Lacson, who is embroiled in the Dacer-Corbito double murder case that the DOJ is set to investigate, had speculated that Gonzalez was booted out of office because the outgoing Justice chief had been making public statements on the issue.
Lacson, a staunch administration critic, claimed that the Palace's plan was to keep secret the decision of former Senior Superintendent Cezar Mancao II to turn the tables on the senator and point to him as one of those behind the killing of publicist Salvador "Bubby" Dacer and driver Emmanuel Corbito in November 2000.
Lacson also alleged that Gonzalez was kicked out of the DOJ post because he "meddled" in the brewing war between two "rich and influential" taipans siblings, who he did not identify.
But Gonzalez simply dismissed Lacson's speculations.
"Hindi ko alam kung saan nanggaling yung issue na yun [I do not know where the issue came from]," he said in an interview on dzBB radio. - Johanna Camille Sisante, GMANews.TV
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