Palace tells Guevarra: Assess if you’re still fit as Sol Gen

Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary Claire Castro

MANILA, Philippines – The Malacañang Palace asked Solicitor General (Sol Gen) Menardo Guevarra if he is still fit for the job of being the top lawyer for the government following his recusal to defend officials involved in the controversial arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte.

“Lumabas lang po yata ito kagabi pero siguro po mas maganda po mismo si Sol Gen ang mag assess sa sarili niya kung siya pa po ba ay nararapat na tumayo bilang Solicitor General,” Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary Claire Castro said Tuesday.

When asked if there would be possibility for Guevarra to be replaced after his defiance to defend the government, Castro said there are no talks about it yet.

“Wala pa pong napag-uusapang ganyang dahil napaka bago po talaga nito,” Castro said.

Castro insisted that the Sol Gen’s position about the ICC having no jurisdiction over the Philippines is practically identical with President Ferdinand Jr. ‘s stand . Which is why his refusal cannot be used by the Duterte camp against the government.

“First, ginagamit po kasi ito ng ibang partido na diumano naniniwala na ang Sol Gen na may kamalian sa ginawa ng pamahalaan sa pakikipagtulungan sa Interpol. Maliwanag po kung inyong nabasa ang manifestation po ni Sol Gen Menardo Guevarra,” Castro said.

“Binganggit lamang po niya na siya po ay naniniwala na walang hurisdiksyon ang ICC sa Pilipinas. ‘Yan din naman po ang tinuran noon pa ng Pangulo,” Castro said.

“Pero hindi po niya nabanggit kailanman sa kanyang manifestation na mali ang pakikipagtulungan ng gobyerno sa Interpol. ‘Yun po,” Castro said.

On Monday, Guevarra released a manifestation stating his recusal to answer for government officials subject in the petitions filed by the Duterte siblings before the Supreme Court seeking judicial intervention to compel the Philippine government to take actions to bring the former president back home.

“Kailan po sumagot. Kung sino man po ang respondent sa Supreme Court hindi po maaaring hindi sumagot kailangan po ipagtanggol kung anong ginawa nila at ipagtatanggol po ito base sa batas,” Castro said.

Given Guevarra’s defiance to lawyer for the officials, Castro said respondents will have to employ lawyers to defend the move of the government before the Supreme Court.

“Kukuha po sila ng gobyerno hindi lang po natin alam kung mula sa gobyerno o mula sa pribado, yung mga respondents po,” Castro said.

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