Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — Presidential Communications Secretary Hermino “Sonny” Coloma Jr. said on Tuesday (October 13) that President Benigno Aquino III had appointed a secretary of justice after the resignation of Leila de Lima last week.
Coloma, citing Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr., said chief presidential legal counsel Alfredo Benjamin Caguioa would be acting as ad interim secretary of justice — taking the place of De Lima who had decided to run for the Senate.
He said a transmittal letter has been sent to the Commission on Appointments.
Caguioa obtained his degree in Economics (Honors Program) from the College of Arts and Sciences of the Ateneo de Manila University in 1981 (Honorable Mention), and graduated with honors from its College of Law in 1985, ranking fifth in his class.
He was admitted to the Philippine Bar in 1986 after placing 15th in the 1985 bar examinations.
He was appointed chief legal counsel by Aquino in 2013.
In a text message to the media, De Lima commended Caguioa, saying he would be fit for the post.
“Secretary Ben is a good choice,” she said.
CNN Philippines’ Anjo Alimario contributed to this report.
