Recto to new prosecutors: Do not shield the powerful

Executive Secretary Ralph Recto has called on newly appointed prosecutors to keep politics out of prosecution, urging them not to shield the powerful.

Recto made the remark as he administered the oath of office of newly appointed Department of Justice (DOJ) prosecutors on Wednesday.

“You are not here to bring politics into the charging decision. You are not here to serve personalities. You are not here to shield the powerful. You are here to be fair. To hold power— any power —accountable to the law,” Recto said.

“By doing so, you do not only become justice’s fiercest advocate, but democracy’s strongest guard rail,” he added.

Recto said that these newly appointed prosecutors are entering public service at a time when institutions are empowered to function independently under the Marcos administration.

“I must say that you assume your new role during these auspicious times when our institutions are allowed to do their jobs, where truth is pursued, not staged; where justice is supported, not steered,” Recto said.

Recto emphasized that the rule of law is upheld when due process is respected regardless of position or rank.

“Even the highest offices have faced scrutiny. Even the Executive Secretary has faced complaints. These charges were met the only way a public servant with respect to the law should: with facts, with transparency, and with reverence to due process,” Recto said.

“For that is how the rule of law is proven: by letting due process run its course without spin, without shortcuts, without political seasoning,” he added.

Recto further reminded the prosecutors that the administration's commitment to the rule of law carries both assurance and expectation that they must follow evidence wherever it leads, dismiss cases that cannot be proven, and remain free from bias or manipulation.

“Justice that needs instructions is not justice—it is obedience. And you are not here to obey personalities. You are here to uphold principles,” he said. 

Present during the oath-taking ceremony were Department of Justice (DOJ) Secretary Fredderick Vida, Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Anna Liza Logan, Senior Deputy Executive Secretary Maria Luwalhati Dorotan Tiuseco, Deputy Executive Secretary for Legal Affairs Jesse Hermogenes Andres, and DOJ Undersecretary Ian Norman Dato. —VAL, GMA Integrated News