New DOJ undersecretary named

MANILA, Philippines — After the position has been vacant for more than three months, Malacañang has appointed Jon Paulo Salvahan as undersecretary of the Department of Justice (DOJ), replacing Markk Perete.

President Duterte approved the appointment of Salvahan, who was a junior partner at the law firm of Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra announced on Tuesday.

Guevarra said he would review the areas of responsibility of the DOJ officials before deciding what assignment would be given to Salvahan.

Perete, who also served as spokesman for the DOJ, resigned in October last year.

Salvahan graduated with a degree in political science at the University of the Philippines Manila and from the Ateneo de Manila University Law School.

Aside from Salvahan, the four other DOJ Undersecretaries are Deo Marco, Emmeline Aglipay-Villar, Adrian Ferdinand Sugay and Juliana Sunga.

Malacañang also approved the appointments of 24 prosecutors in the DOJ.