Palace to Guevarra: Are you still fit to be SolGen?

SolGen leaves fate to Marcos

- ALEXIS ROMERO

It's time for Solicitor General Menardo Guevarra to assess if he is still fit to be the government's top lawyer after his office recused itself from the cases seeking the release of former president Rodrigo Duterte from detention in The Hague, Malacañang said yesterday.

In a manifestation filed before the Supreme Court last Monday, the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) begged off from representing the government in tackling three habeas corpus petitions filed by Duterte's children — Davao City Mayor Sebastian Duterte, Rep. Paolo Duterte and Veronica Duterte.

In its request, the OSG cited the Philippines' withdrawal in 2019 from the Rome Statute, the treaty that formed the ICC.

Duterte is in detention in The Hague where he is awaiting trial for crimes against humanity. He was arrested at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport last March 11 hours after his return from Hong Kong.

Asked at a press briefing yesterday if Guevarra would be replaced for not performing his mandate as the government's top lawyer, Presidential Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said the matter has not been discussed, but the solicitor general should evaluate his suitability for the post.

“Perhaps it would be better if the SolGen assesses himself, if he is still fit to be solicitor general,” the Palace press officer said.

Pressed if Guevarra’s move warrants his resignation, Castro said, “He should assess himself.”

She would not go as far as recommending to President Marcos that Guevarra be asked to quit his post.

Asked if he would remain as the government’s top legal defender, Guevarra said it’s all up to the President to decide. “Only the President can say that,” he said.

He also reminded critics and the public that the Office of the Solicitor General “is not only the government’s counsel but also the tribune of the people.”

No gov’t mistake