MANILA, Philippines – Local businessmen announced yesterday that they are pleased with the appointment of Solicitor General Agnes Devanadera as justice secretary because of her strong stand against smuggling.
In a statement, Federation of Philippine Industries (FPI) president Jesus L. Arranza said that domestic manufacturers are confident that the fight against smuggling will intensify as Devanadera assumes her new post.
“We have a partnership already with her through the Presidential Anti-Smuggling Group (PASG) headed by Undersecretary Bebot Villar. She has been assisting us with the designation of lawyers and in analyzing cases of smuggling that we filed,” Arranza said.
He said Devanadera has been actively helping prosecute smugglers in her capacity as solicitor general. Arranza said now that Devanadera is at the DOJ’s helm, the FPI expects her to beef up the agency’s task force on smuggling.
The task force, currently composed of about 10 prosecutors, is specifically assigned to handle smuggling cases.
Being familiar with the plight of local industries, which have been suffering because of the rampant cases of smuggling in the country, Devanadera is sure to give more teeth to the DOJ’s anti-smuggling functions, Arranza said.
“The domestic manufacturers are excited to work with a long-time ally. We expect a more speedy resolution of cases against smugglers with Secretary Devanadera running the DOJ,” Arranza said.
The FPI is also grateful for the assistance given by former Justice Secretary and now chief presidential legal counsel Raul M. Gonzalez to the local industries, especially when he set up the task force.