President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo has appointed Solicitor General Agnes Devanadera as acting Secretary of the Department of Justice, vice Raul Gonzales, who requested for a “less strenuous” assignment to enable him to bring his sick child to France.Gonzales also said earlier he plans to run for mayor of Iloilo City and would resign his DOJ post by November.
Gonzales’ appointment as Presidential Legal Counsel, vice Jesus Dureza who is expected to get a portfolio post on Mindanao affairs, was sent by Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita to Gonzales last June 4.
Devanadera was the first and only woman mayor of Sampaloc, Quezon. She held several positions with the Office of the Government Corporate Counsel (GOCC) where she made a major breakthrough in implementing the zero backlog policy that requires GOCC’s legal and administrative staff to finish their workload on time.
She served as Acting DOJ Secretary from September to November last year when Sec. Gonzales had an operation.
She also served as undersecretary for legal and legislative affairs at the Department of Interior and Local Government, and as a member of the Board of Trustees of the Local Government Academy, among others.
Regarding former Press Secretary Jesus Dureza, Presidential Spokesperson Lorelei Fajardo said he may shortly be given a new position that will enable him to use his talents in addressing concerns in Mindanao, which he prefers.
Secretary Dureza was the MEDCO Chairman before he was named Presidential Adviser on Peace Process.
