Only Marcos can say if I still enjoy his trust - SolGen Guevarra

Metro Manila, Philippines – Menardo Guevarra said his fate as solicitor general is in the hands of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. after opting out of the task to defend a number of ranking government officials at the Supreme Court over petitions related to the arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte.

“The president alone can say if he still trusts me,” Guevarra said in a text message to NewsWatch Plus on Tuesday, March 18.

Guevarra said resignation or removal from his post is “the president’s exclusive call.” He also noted that the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) serves not only as the government’s legal counsel but also as the tribune of the people.

On Monday, March 17, the OSG filed a manifestation of recusal with the high court, stating that the “government has no legal obligation to cooperate with the ICC.”

Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro clarified that this position does not contradict President Marcos' stance on the International Criminal Court (ICC).

“Binanggit lamang po niya na siya po ay naniniwala na walang hurisdiksiyon ang ICC sa Pilipinas, iyan din naman po ang tinuran noon pa ng pangulo. Pero hindi po niya nabanggit kailanman sa kaniyang manifestation na mali ang pakikipagtulungan ng gobyerno sa Interpol, iyon po,” Castro said in a Palace briefing on Tuesday, March 18.

[Translation: He only stated that he believes the ICC has no jurisdiction over the Philippines, which has been the president’s position all along. However, he never mentioned in his manifestation that cooperating with Interpol was wrong.]

Castro also suggested that it is time for Guevarra to assess whether he can still effectively serve as the government’s legal representative.

“Siguro po mas maganda po kung mismo si SolGen ang mag-assess sa sarili niya kung siya pa po ba ay nararapat na tumayo bilang Solicitor General,” she added.

[Translation: Perhaps it would be best if the Solicitor General assesses himself on whether he is still fit to serve as Solicitor General.]