Metro Manila, Philippines – President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. continues to trust Solicitor General Menardo Guevarra despite the latter opting out of defending the administration against petitions filed before the Supreme Court regarding the arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte.
Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said Marcos has spoken with Guevarra following the Solicitor General’s decision.
“Sinasabi niya po na hindi naman nawawala ang kaniyang tiwala kay SolGen Menardo Guevarra [He said that his trust in SolGen Menardo Guevarra remains],” said Castro.
The Palace official said the conversation was brief, and Marcos reiterated his confidence in the government’s top lawyer.
“Noong tinanong ko po siya kung magri-resign po si SolGen, ang sabi niya, ‘Hindi ko hinihingi ang pagri-resign niya.’ So, iyon lang po ang sinabi niya. So, nandoon pa rin po iyong trust niya kay SolGen Menardo Guevarra,” said Castro.
[Translation: When I asked him if SolGen would resign, he said, ‘I am not asking for his resignation.’ That was all he said. So, his trust in SolGen Menardo Guevarra remains]
On Monday, March 17, the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) filed a manifestation of recusal with the high court, stating that the “government has no legal obligation to cooperate with the ICC.”
Castro clarified that this position does not contradict Marcos’ stance on the International Criminal Court (ICC).
“Binanggit lamang po niya na siya po ay naniniwala na walang hurisdiksiyon ang ICC sa Pilipinas, iyan din naman po ang tinuran noon pa ng pangulo. Pero hindi po niya nabanggit kailanman sa kaniyang manifestation na mali ang pakikipagtulungan ng gobyerno sa Interpol, iyon po,” Castro said in a Palace briefing on Tuesday, March 18.
[Translation: He only stated that he believes the ICC has no jurisdiction over the Philippines, which has been the President’s position all along. However, he never mentioned in his manifestation that cooperating with Interpol was wrong]
Malacañang also suggested that it is time for Guevarra to assess whether he can still effectively serve as the government’s legal representative.
“Siguro po mas maganda po kung mismo si SolGen ang mag-assess sa sarili niya kung siya pa po ba ay nararapat na tumayo bilang Solicitor General,” she added. [Translation: Perhaps it would be best if the Solicitor General assesses himself on whether he is still fit to serve as Solicitor General]
