Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque, in an interview with Palace reporters on Thursday, April 5, announced the appointments of Senior Deputy Executive Secretary Menardo Guevarra as the new Department of Justice (DOJ) Secretary and Carlito Galvez as the new Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff.

Senior Deputy Executive Secretary Guevarra, who holds the post of a Cabinet member, replaced Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II.

Secretary Roque said, “The appointment paper was signed now… At dahil ang Kongreso po ay on recess, this is a valid ad-interim appointment. He is a full-fledged secretary.”

“(T)alaga naman napatunayang kakayahan at kagalingan sa batas at integridad meron si Sec. Guevarra, “ Secretary Roque added.

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte earlier announced the resignation of Aguirre during the Awarding of Outstanding Farmers, Fisherfolks and Coastal Communities (Gawad Saka 2017 and Malinis at Masaganang Karagatan 2017) in Malacanang.

In the same Palace event the President announced that he chose National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) chief Director Oscar Albayalde as the next Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief.

The Palace Spokesperson also announced that the President had named Western Mindanao Command (WESMINCOM) chief Lt. Gen. Carlito Galvez as the next Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

The oath-taking of the new AFP Chief of Staff and the new PNP Director-General will be on April 18, 2018. ### PCO-Content