Gonzalez named Arroyo's chief legal counsel
As expected President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo yesterday named Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez Sr. as the new chief presidential legal counsel.
Deputy Presidential Spokeswoman Lorelei Fajardo said Gonzalez will replace current Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Jesus Dureza who also holds the chairmanship of the Mindanao Economic Development Council.
Fajardo said Gonzalez lobbied for the post after announcing his plan to retire in November so he can run for Iloilo City mayor next year. The justice chief is also planning to bring his sick son to the Lourdes Shrine in France.
Gonzalez's son Jose Marie is reportedly afflicted with cerebral palsy.
President Arroyo has appointed Solicitor General Agnes Devanadera as acting Justice Secretary in place of Secretary Gonzalez.
Devanadera was admitted to the Philippine Bar in 1977. She became Solicitor General in March 2, 2007.
Devanadera was also the first and only woman mayor of Sampaloc, Quezon. Among others, she was also the first and only woman national president of the League of Municipalities of the Philippines.
An alumnus of Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU)-School of Government, Devanadera is married to Noriel Devanadera. They have three children. She started her career as an accountant at Carlos J. Valdes and Co.