Department of Justice (DoJ) Secretary Menardo Guevarra may have been given a herculean task by President Duterte but this just speaks of his immense trust and confidence in him, Deputy Majority Leader Camiguin Rep. Xavier Jesus Romualdo said.
(ARMAN BAYLON / PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO / FILE PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN)
"I think it definitely says a lot about his trust in Secretary Guevarra and his confidence that the SoJ (Secretary of Justice) can get the job done," Romualdo said of Guevarra Wednesday following the President’s order for him to investigate all allegations of corruption in the bureaucracy.
"Secretary Guevarra and the officials of the DoJ are very competent and full of energy. They’ll surely be able to get things done," added the lawyer-congressman.
Somewhat adding to the enormity of Duterte's task for Guevarra is the fact that the Chief Executive's tenure will only last for two more years. Romualdo, however, sees this as a positive thing moving forward.
"The efforts undertaken in the remaining years of the Duterte administration could be something that the next administration can build upon. Congress, in turn, will surely be supportive and help the President however we can," the Mindanaoan and Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (CMD) stalwart said.
Majority Leader and Lakas-CMD President Ferdinand Martin Romualdez assured support for Duterte's renewed anti-corruption campaign.
"The House of Representatives under the leadership of Speaker Lord Allan Velasco is in full agreement with the President to put an end to the deep-rooted, systemic, and systematic corruption in the government. We are always in full support of the marching orders from President Duterte for Congress to go all out in helping curb red tape and corruption in all levels of governance," he said.
"In an effort to further the President's advocacy against corruption, the House of Representatives would work harder to fast-track the approval of all pending measures related to anti-red tape and anti-corruption campaign of the Duterte administration," added Romualdez.
Guevarra described Duterte's latest directive was the "toughest task" he has ever received from the President.
Then-Davao City Mayor Duterte won the presidential race via landslide in the May 2016 national elections. Although he was arguably elected on the strength of his hardline stance against illegal drugs, he also made clear his hatred toward red tape and corruption in government.
"President Duterte’s renewed focus on fighting corruption in government is a very welcome development," Romualdo said.
"Efforts to combat corruption should always be a constant thing and when the President gives these efforts a boost by putting it front and center in his agenda, we should see some results," he added.
Duterte and Guevarra are both lawyers.