DoJ chief raises 3 names as Zuño’s replacement

By Benjamin B. Pulta

02/09/2010

Justice Secretary Agnes Devanadera has submitted to Malacanang the names of three candidates as replacement of Chief State Prosecutor Jovencito Zuño, who retired from government service yesterday.

Quezon City Prosecutor Claro Arellano, Assistant Chief State Prosecutor Severino Gana and Justice Undersecretary Ricardo Blancaflor were those recommended.

The President has the power to appoint the next chief state prosecutor, who has administrative supervision over around 1,750 prosecutors of the National Prosecution Service.

Zuño, who reached the mandatory retirement age of 65 years old yesterday, has ended his 35 years of service at the Department of Justice (DoJ), 14 years as chief prosecutor.

He successfully prosecuted deposed President Joseph Estrada for plunder; former Zamboanga del Norte province Rep. Romeo Jalosjos for statutory rape, former Calauan town, Laguna province Mayor Antonio Sanchez for rape, and Hubert Webb, son of a former famous local pro basketball player and erstwhile senator, along with other suspects for the so-called Vizconde family massacre.

Zuño was associated with the media-dubbed “Alabang Boys” controversy that resulted to his suspension while the case was being investigated by the Palace.

The Presidential Anti-Graft Commission has suspended him for 90 days over the drug case involving three high-profile suspects who are scions of wealthy and reportedly influential families – Jorge Joseph, Joseph Tecson and Richard Brodette.

Zuño, along with four other prosecutors, were accused of accepting bribes from the accused, which they have strongly denied. He appealed his suspension before the Supreme Court, which, in turn, remanded the case to the Court of Appeals (CA).

Malacanang has since lifted his suspension but he still wants the CA to rule over it to prove his innocence.

Back to top

For comments about this website:Webmaster@tribune.net.ph
The Daily Tribune © 2006