Marcos appoints ex-Pag-IBIG chief Berberabe as solicitor general

Metro Manila, Philippines - President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has appointed former Pag-IBIG president Darlene Berberabe as the government’s top lawyer, replacing Solicitor General Menardo Guevarra in the administration’s bid to reset governance.

In a briefing on Thursday, May 29, Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin said the president accepted Guevarra’s courtesy resignation, which Marcos sought from top officials last week.

Bersamin said the president thinks it is time for Guevarra to head to “another venture” to allow “fresh blood” in the Cabinet.

Bersamin also denied that Guevarra’s decision to recuse himself from defending the Marcos administration before the Supreme Court regarding the arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte played a factor in his replacement.

“He and the president had a conversation about this and the president respected his ethical decision to recuse,” he said.

READ: Marcos still trusts SolGen Guevarra – Palace

Guevarra also confirmed the news to reporters, commending Berberabe as she takes his place in the Cabinet.

"I am happy for Darlene Berberabe. As a top-caliber lawyer with an impressive management background, she will surely do as well as Solicitor General," he said.

Berberabe served as president and chief executive officer of the government-owned and -controlled corporation, Home Development Mutual Fund, or Pag-IBIG Fund from 2010 to 2017.

She next served as independent board of director in a major conglomerate and was a senior counsel in other private law firms.

Berberabe has been Dean of the UP College of Law since 2023. A faculty member of the Philippine Judicial Academy, she graduated summa cum laude in philosophy from the University of the Philippines.

Berberabe was a candidate interviewed by the Judicial and Bar Council to replace Supreme Court Associate Justice Mario Lopez, who will retire in June.

Bersamin said it is expected that Berberabe understands the “clear task to defend the interests of the government.”

The solicitor general is the government’s statutory counsel, which refers to a lawyer or legal counsel appointed or mandated by law.