New DOJ chief Guevarra: Political considerations out of the question

Newly-appointed Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra has buckled down to work at the Department of Justice, reassuring that politics would play no part in the performance of his functions.

When asked how we will shield himself from being branded as pro-Duterte, the former Senior Deputy Executive Secretary said political considerations are out of the question

"Politics is not within the jurisdiction of the DOJ. DOJ is [about] administration of criminal justice. Kaya blindfolded [si] lady justice. Political considerations are definitely out of the question," Guevarra said.

"I just want you to know that I never asked for any of these positions. I was recruited, I was requested to assist and as a lawyer I did my job as a professional. I don't have any political membership in any groupings," he added.

In addition, Guevarra mentioned that President Rodrigo Duterte vowed non-interference in his new position. "He (Duterte) expressly stated [that] he would not interfere in any way in the discharge of my functions as Secretary of Justice." 

Guevarra also served in government under the administration of former president Benigno Aquino III, who appointed him as Deputy Executive Secretary for Legal Affairs and as a member of the short-lived Truth Commission.

He admitted surprise to being chosen become the next Justice chief.

"I'm surprised really to a certain extent that the President chose me among so many people who are connected with him, because I also served in the previous administration in my capacity as Deputy Executive Secretary for Legal Affairs," he said.

"I guess the President has his own way of determining whether a person is suitable for a particular job or not. To his credit, he does not mind appointing people who [do] not belong to the same political group. He keeps an open mind about this," he added.

Duterte also reminded him to "put special focus" on the prosecution of drugs and terrorism-related crimes, Guevarra said.

"We have our work cut out for us. President Duterte’s marching order to us is very clear. The DOJ will offer no sanctuary nor respite to criminals involved in illegal drugs and terrorism," he said in a separate statement.

Guevarra is taking over the office of Vitaliano Aguirre III, who stepped down from the DOJ less than a month after news broke that a panel of state prosecutors had dismissed charges against several drug personalities.

Guevarra earlier said his top priority upon assuming his new office is the review of this same case, as well as the call of the DOJ under Aguirre's watch to place Janet Lim Napoles, the alleged mastermind of the pork barrel scam, under provisional coverage of the Witness Protection Program.

"I am not prejudging...I will look at facts presented without premature conclusion, I would not be bothered [by] public sentiment," he said.

He said his first order of business was organizational -- familiarizing himself with the "nitty gritty" of the DOJ, and determining if there is a need for new recruits. He met with senior DOJ officials on Wednesday for a briefing on functions and duties.

"Like any person who is new into the job, I would like to have people in my confidence, but I want continuity. I don't want abrupt. I have a lot of respect with people who have been here [for] some time," he said. — RSJ, GMA News