By Jeffrey G. Damicog
Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra yesterday vowed to restore the dignified image of the Department of Justice.
“I hate to say that our department as well as most agencies attached to it is suffering from a huge image problem,” said Guevarra in his first flag-raising ceremony as Justice Secretary at the DoJ in Ermita, Manila.
Guevarra said that he was struck with awe and respect at the DoJ and the Supreme Court buildings on Padre Faura St. in Ermita.
“The building remains the same but it’s somehow corroded inside. It looks solid but its structural integrity is suspect both literally and metaphorically,” the Justice Secretary said.
“So it is my personal mission to restore the DoJ’s dignified and respectable image to make it a cornerstone and not a mere pillar of our justice system,” he said.
Gueverra urged DoJ officials and personnel to help him in this task. “I can’t do it alone. I need you, all of you to start an inner revolution of our values to adopt an attitude that puts premium on the interest of the people we serve, especially the underprivileged and the oppressed over and above our individual self interest.”
“I know I may be asking for the moon, or I maybe too late in the day, but I still believe in miracles,” Guevarra said.
