MALACAÑANG said Justice Vitaliano Aguirre II continues to enjoy the trust of President Rodrigo Duterte, amid the clamor to fire him after the dismissal of drug charges against self-confessed drug lord Kerwin Espinosa and Cebu businessman Peter Lim.
Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque Jr. said Duterte may have been dismayed by the DOJ's recommendation, but he has assured Aguirre of his trust.
"He (Duterte) said so," Roque told Palace reporters on Thursday, March 15.
"The trust remains because if not, he will be fired by the President. And the President has not hesitated to fire even members of the Cabinet. For as long as he's not been fired, he enjoys the trust and confidence of the President," he added.
This developed after Duterte, during a joint command conference with police and military held Tuesday, March 13, warned that Aguirre will face sanctions if he fails to pursue charges against Lim and Espinosa.
The President also reportedly sought to invoke his power of supervision over the DOJ and review the agency's dismissal order on the drug charges against the two suspected drug personalities.
Duterte was quoted as saying: "If Lim and Espinosa get away [with their supposed drug offenses], he (Aguirre) will have to replace them [in jail]."
The DOJ, in its resolution released Monday, March 12, recommended the withdrawal of drug-related complaint against Lim, Espinosa, and other alleged drug offenders in the country because of lack of evidence.
The recommendation was made even though the President had stood by his claim that both Lim and Espinosa as among the top drug lords in Visayas.
Roque said that while Duterte still trusts Aguirre, the Justice Secretary must take the President's statement "seriously."
"As I said, while you don't take the President literally, you must take him seriously. He (Aguirre) could consider this as a joke... He said it in another jokingly manner, but for almost six months now that I work closely with the President, he doesn't waste words," he said.
"So I think what the President said is a very clear expression of concern that he will not allow suspected drug lords scot free... I think the message is he's not happy with the decision," he added.
After Duterte made such pronouncement, Aguirre ordered the creation of a new panel of prosecutors that will review the DOJ resolution. (VoxPop Philippines)
