JUSTICE SECRETARY Menardo I. Guevarra said he will think about his nomination for the Supreme Court associate justice position vacated by Chief Justice Diosdado M. Peralta.

“I’m not hesitating,” Mr. Guevarra told reporters, “I just have lots of works to do pa sa (still at the) DoJ (Department of Justice).” “I have not really thought about it because I am really very busy at the work at the DoJ. At the proper time perhaps I’ll consider it,” he said. Retired Sandiganbayan Associate Justice Raoul V. Victorino submitted Mr. Guevarra’s nomination for the high court to the Judicial and Bar Council.

In the recommendation letter, Mr. Victorino said the Justice secretary possesses the necessary credentials and professional experience for the post. “I have known Secretary Guevarra to be a person of proven competence, integrity, probity and independence and his sense of patriotism through his socio-civic engagements,” he said.

Mr. Victorino also cited that Mr. Guevarra is an accredited arbitrator of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry and was a member of the country’s legal team in the arbitration case on the West Philippine Sea territorial dispute with China at the Permanent Court of Arbitration. Justice Secretary Guevarra was appointed to lead the DoJ in April last year. — Vann Marlo M. Villegas

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