Cabinet meeting wraps up with Aguirre still justice chief

MANILA, Philippines — The reported firing or resignation of Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II was not discussed on Wednesday’s Cabinet meeting, presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said.

The STAR earlier reported that Duterte was likely to axe Aguirre next from his Cabinet, but Roque said on late Wednesday night after the meeting that there was “no such thing.”

Presidential spokesman Harry Roque on whether DOJ Sec. Vitaliano Aguirre was fired during Cabinet meeting: No such thing | @alexisbromero

— Philstar.com (@PhilstarNews) April 4, 2018

READ: Six controversial cases that earned Aguirre criticism

Citing sources, the STAR said that Duterte, who was angered by the Department of Justice's decision to acquit self-confessed drug kingpin Kerwin Espinosa and alleged drug lord Peter Lim, would also likely announce he was firing Aguirre later this week.

Discussed, instead, were the closure order Boracay island for renovation and the resumption of peace talks with communist rebels.

Aguirre was also seen beside Duterte in a photo provided by the Malacanang with the rest of the cabinet secretaries. The photo was taken after the meeting.

For weeks now, there have been reports of a revamp of the Cabinet allegedly due to Duterte’s disappointment with some officials.

Prior to Duterte’s return to the Malacañang from his Holy Week break, the firebrand leader said in a speech on March 23 that he will be firing more officials.

His speech came days after he expressed dissatisfaction with the DOJ-issued resolution that dropped drug complaints against Espinosa, Lim, Peter Co and a dozen others. The chief executive even said that Aguirre will take the place of the respondents in jail if they run scot-free.

Aguirre has ordered a new investigation into the probe. A preliminary investigation is set on April 12, 1:00 p.m.