Guevarra open to accepting new post under BBM admin
JUSTICE Secretary Menardo Guevarra has expressed optimism that his successor, Seventh District Cavite Rep. Jesus Crispin Remulla, would continue to give utmost priority on the fight against human trafficking, strengthening the cyber crime units and ensuring the protection of human rights.
“I hope that certain positive things that we have done would continue to see the light during the tenure of the incoming justice secretary,” Guevarra said during the Kapihan sa Manila Bay virtual forum on Wednesday.
The outgoing justice chief added the improvement in the correctional system and the professionalization of the Bureau of Corrections (Bucor) as among the initiatives of the Department of Justice (DOJ) that he is hoping that Remulla would pursue.
The 68-year-old Guevarra would be leaving his post on June 30 upon the assumption of newly elected President Ferdinand R. “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.
However, Guevarra said he would be ready to rejoin the government if he is offered a position under the new administration and continue working in the government.
“Actually, I have several options like going back to law practice or teaching or going to the private sector. But I think I still have the energy, if there are options for going back to government service then I would also consider that option,” Guevarra said.
“I think my priority is to give myself a short break. I’ve been continuously working non-stop and physically, it also has some effect on me. So the first thing that I am going to do after June 30 would be to have a little vacation with my family and loved ones,” he added.
Guevarra admitted that his desire to lead the DOJ during the national health crisis prompted him to forgo the opportunity to seek a post in the Supreme Court (SC).
It can be recalled that retired Sandiganbayan Associate Justice Raoul Victorino nominated Guevarra twice to the SC.
“I will not deny that I was very much interested also to join the [SC] like any lawyer, but it does not mean that the work I am doing in the DOJ is anything less to what a justice in the SC will do or can do. It so happened, as I explained to Justice Victorino, that his nominations in my favor happened during a time when we were having a national emergency… [had] it happened at a time when the situation was ‘very normal’, I really would have considered moving or applying to the SC, to the Judiciary,” he explained.