She’s coy about it, but Palace press officer Claire Castro insisted she is not interested in becoming the next justice secretary.
In a briefing in Malacañang on Tuesday, Castro again shut down rumors of her name being among the choices to head the Department of Justice (DOJ). But she was flattered by Mamamayang Liberal Party-list Rep. Leila de Lima ‘kind words’ after describing her as ‘one of the best choices’ to become the next Secretary of Justice (SOJ).
‘Thank you very much for considering me, but I am not actually applying to be the SOJ,’ she said.
Castro told her critics: ‘So, maybe those who don’t want me to become the SOJ should just relax. I’m not applying for that position.’
De Lima, who served as justice secretary during the term of former President Benigno ‘Noynoy’ Aquino III, in an interview on Bilyonaryo News Channel, mentioned that Castro and Batangas Rep. Gerville ‘Jinky Bitrics’ Luistro were among those ‘deserving’ to get appointed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. as the new DOJ chief.
De Lima called Castro ‘brave and gutsy’ in her role as Malacañang’s de facto spokesperson.
Vice President Sara Duterte was among the most vocal in denouncing even rumors of Castro’s name being among the shortlist of those being considered as the next justice secretary.
Castro, a litigation lawyer by profession, indicated that she preferred to continue in her communications role at the Palace rather than transition into the legal and administrative responsibilities of the DOJ.
The agency has been at the center of several high-profile cases, including ongoing investigations into the flood control project controversy, making the post a critical role in the administration’s agenda.
The DOJ has had no full-time head for almost a month now, following the appointment of Jesus Crispin ‘Boying’ Remulla as the new Ombudsman.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. appointed Justice Undersecretary Fredderick Vida as DOJ officer-in-charge, a designation that has limited powers confined to administrative functions.