PNoy's classmate, lawyer to replace De Lima in DOJ

MANILA, Philippines - President Benigno Aquino III has named his college classmate and chief legal counsel as the new Department of Justice (DOJ) secretary.

Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said Aquino appointed Chief Presidential Legal Counsel (CPLC) Alfredo Benjamin Caguioa as ad interim head of the DOJ.

Coloma said a transmittal letter has been sent to the Commission on Appointments for Caguiao's new post.

Caguioa obtained his economics degree from the College of Arts and Sciences of the Ateneo de Manila University in 1981.

He graduated with honors from the Ateneo Law School in 1985 and ranked fifth in his class.

Caguioa was admitted to the Philippine Bar in 1986 after placing 15th in the 1985 Bar examinations.

Aquino appointed Caguioa as CPLC in 2013.