'SolGen should assess himself', Palace exec says after Guevarra declines to defend gov't on Duterte's arrest

Manila Bulletin

Solicitor General Menardo Guevarra should assess himself if he remains suitable to be the government's chief lawyer, a Palace official said.  READ: https://mb.com.ph/2025/3/18/sol-gen-should-assess-himself-palace-exec  Subscribe to the Manila Bulletin Online channel! - https://www.youtube.com/TheManilaBulletin  Visit our website at http://mb.com.ph Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/manilabulletin Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/manila_bulletin Instagram: https://instagram.com/manilabulletin Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@manilabulletin  #ManilaBulletinOnline #ManilaBulletin #LatestNews

Transcript

00:00Good morning Usec. What is the reaction of the President or the Palacio to the decision

00:09of the Office of the Solicitor General that the government should refuse to be held accountable

00:14for the petitions to the Supreme Court, as well as the arrest of former President Duterte?

00:19The OSG stated that the government has no legal obligation to assist the ICC because

00:27we are no longer members of the Rome Statute.

00:30In his manifestation, he said he wants to recuse himself to represent because he cannot

00:40effectively represent the government. First, this is used by other parties that do not

00:51believe that the government did something wrong in assisting Interpol.

00:58It is clear if you have read the manifestation of Sgt. Leonardo Guevara.

01:04He stated that he believes that the ICC has no jurisdiction in the Philippines.

01:12This is also what the President said earlier.

01:16But he never mentioned in his manifestation that the government's assistance to Interpol was wrong.

01:25So, if he cannot defend the government, the officials of the government,

01:34who responded to Interpol, maybe it is just his feeling.

01:38One follow-up, ma'am. Is there a possibility of replacing the Solicitor General?

01:44Because he defied his mandate to be a representative of the government in the cases.

01:50We haven't talked about that yet because this is really new.

01:53This was just released last night.

01:55But maybe it would be better if Soljen himself assesses himself

02:00if he deserves to stand as Solicitor General.

02:06Follow-up to the same question, Tuesday New, DZBB.

02:11Good morning, Usec.

02:13If that is the current situation of the OSG,

02:17what is the remaining option or legal remedy of the government

02:23to have a representation in defending the former President Duterte in the ICC,

02:30if the government plans to do so?

02:33The government needs to respond.

02:35Whoever is the respondent in the Supreme Court cannot not respond.

02:39We need to defend what they did and we will defend it based on the law.

02:44Does the government have a plan to get a legal service from private councils

02:50to represent the government for that?

02:53We haven't talked about the plan yet but they will answer

02:56if this is from the government of lawyers or private.

03:01We haven't talked about that yet.

03:03But ma'am, is there an option to do that because the OSG has already taken a stand?

03:12They will get a lawyer.

03:13We just don't know if it is from the government or private.

03:16Who will get a lawyer?

03:18The respondents.

03:20Okay.

03:21Like respondents in the case of E.S. Lucas Bersamin,

03:28if my understanding is correct, and the Department of Justice,

03:32will they get a lawyer?

03:35If they are involved in the case, they need to respond.

03:39So they also need to get a lawyer.

03:41Okay. Thank you.

03:43It's still related.

03:44Related question, Maricel Halili, TV5.

03:47Quick follow-up. Good morning, ma'am.

03:50Does the palace think that it is morally right for Soljian Guevara to recuse the case

03:57considering that during the time of President Duterte,

04:00he was the Justice Secretary.

04:01So maybe there is a conflict of interest.

04:03Do you see this?

04:07We have not talked about that.

04:09But we know that he will recuse himself from representing the government.

04:17And if it is related with his former post as DOJ Secretary,

04:29we have not yet discussed about that.

04:35Follow-up, Ivan Mayrin, GMA Integrated News.

04:41Attorney Panelo views this act by the Soljian as a win,

04:46as in fact something that strengthens their case,

04:51questioning the jurisdiction of the ICC.

04:53Your reaction to that?

04:55Of course.

04:56He will make that statement favorable to their case or to their position.

05:03When in fact it's very clear from the statement of Soljian Guevara

05:11that he's only discussing about the jurisdiction of the ICC.

05:17And that is also the pronouncement of the President

05:22that the ICC has no more jurisdiction over the Philippines.

05:25So there's nothing wrong with that.

05:27But never did he, never did Soljian mention

05:33that he is against the cooperation of the government with the Interpol.

05:38So how could it be used against the government?

05:43Kat Domingo, ABS-CBN.

05:45I'm just bringing back the discussion on the Soljian.

05:50How necessary is it for the palace to find another solicitor general

05:56or another government lawyer who is more willing to defend

06:00government agencies that executed the arrest?

06:03What is the importance?

06:04It's very important.

06:05It's very significant to get another lawyer.

06:07He's very competent and very effective in defending the causes of the government.

06:15And do you not see that coming from Soljian Guevara as of now?

06:19As of the moment, he said he cannot effectively represent the government.

06:28So it comes from him.

06:31In your assessment, does this warrant a resignation?

06:35Well, as I've told a while ago, he should assess himself.

06:40But would you at least recommend to the president?

06:43No, I would not.

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