De Lima’s undersecretary eyed as next DOJ chief

MANILA, Philippines - Justice Undersecretary Jose Justiniano has been nominated to replace Secretary Leila de Lima when she resigns to run for the Senate next year.

Meanwhile, former presidential assistant for food security and agricultural modernization Francis Pangilinan has recommended undersecretary for operations Edel Guiza to replace him.

Pangilinan’s resignation on Sept. 8 took effect yesterday.

Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Benjamin Caguioa was also being eyed to replace De Lima, The STAR reported earlier.

“It’s still up to President Aquino to decide,” a source privy to the nomination of Justiniano to the post said.

Justiniano supervised the Priority Development Assistance Fund scam investigation at the Department of Justice.

De Lima has bid the DOJ goodbye.

Pangilinan told reporters after the Liberal Party meeting in Cubao, Quezon City that he has nominated Guiza as his replacement.

“We are waiting for the decision of the President,” he said.

He resigned because he wanted to focus on preparations for his senatorial campaign, Pangilinan said.

President Aquino named Pangilinan presidential assistant for food security and agricultural modernization on May 5, 2014 through Executive Order No. 70.

He then transferred four agencies under the Department of Agriculture to the Office of the President: the National Food Authority (NFA), National Irrigation Administration (NIA), Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) and the Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority (FPA) through Executive Order No. 175 signed on the same day.