JUSTICE Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II stays as the head of the Department of Justice (DOJ), Malacañang said Thursday, April 5, quashing reports that he would soon be booted out by President Rodrigo Duterte.
Speaking to Palace reporters, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque Jr. said that during the 24th Cabinet meeting held at the Malacañan Palace on Wednesday, April 4, the President never indicated that Aguirre was "on his way out" of the current administration.
"He's the Secretary of Justice," Roque said, when sought for update on Aguirre's fate, amid calls for the latter's resignation for his supposed incompetence to lead the DOJ.
"There was no indication that he was on his way out," he added.
Despite rumors that Aguirre would be kicked out of the Duterte administration, the President remained on good terms with the Justice Secretary, based on the photos taken on the sidelines of the Cabinet meeting.
Duterte gamely posed for a photo opportunity with his Cabinet members, including Aguirre who was beside him. Both of them were seen smiling.
The photos were released by Malacañang, following speculation that Aguirre is facing possible dismissal because of the DOJ's Task Force on Anti-Illegal Drugs's recommendation on December 20, 2017 to junk the drug charges against alleged high-profile drug lords Kerwin Espinosa and Peter Lim.
Roque said he had missed the chance to talk to Aguirre about Duterte's alleged plan to strip him of his role as the DOJ head, but stressed that the Justice head appeared to be "normal."
"I did not have that opportunity but he (Aguirre) was there [in yesterday's Cabinet meeting], as always. He seemed normal," he said. "There was nothing extraordinary in effect. He was just there like always."
On March 15, Roque said that Aguirre still enjoys Duterte's trust and confidence, but stressed that the latter should "seriously" take the President's remark.
But just a day after his remark, the presidential spokesperson revealed that Duterte was eyeing a Cabinet shake-up because of the poor performance of some of his top officials. Roque, at that time, did not elaborate Duterte's plan to reorganize his Cabinet.
In a speech delivered in Davao City on March 23, the President alluded that he would fire more government officials upon his return to Manila after the observance of the Holy Week.
Duterte had previously sacked various public officials, including some of his Cabinet members, over allegations of either corruption involvement or excessive foreign trips. (VoxPop Philippines)
