Perez really on his way out?

Despite Malacañang’s denials, there are indications that Hernando Perez is on his way out as secretary of justice.

Perez, who is on a 30-day leave until next week, is now under investigation by the Presidential Anti-Graft Commission for obstruction of justice.

And Presidential Spokesman Rigoberto Tiglao has not ruled out Perez’s ouster for offenses other than those imputed to him by Manila Rep. Mark Jimenez.

"Whether in those 30 days, obviously we don’t think Congressman Jimenez has lived up to his promise to provide more proof. But there could be other considerations and it would still be up to the President," Tiglao said.

Meanwhile, the Presidential Anti-Graft Commission (PAGC) has set for Jan. 14 next year the hearing on the charges of obstruction of justice against Perez.

Dario Rama, PAGC chairman, said Perez has until Dec. 27 to file his comment on the charges which the commission has filed against him.

The PAGC filed the charges on its own initiative last Tuesday, he added.

Rama said the commission’s investigation of Perez was "in no way related" to reports that Perez is on his way out of the Department of Justice.

The PAGC has the mandate to investigate and hear administrative complaints against Cabinet members under Executive Order No. 12 which created the anti-graft agency, he added.

However, the 63-year-old Perez said he is confident that he would be back at the justice department’s helm after his leave ends on Dec. 27.

"I think so," Perez said when reporters asked him if he feels he still enjoys the trust and confidence of Mrs. Arroyo. "I’ll be back. I don’t think I would be made a sacrificial lamb by the administration."

Observers foresaw the dismissal of Perez after The Manila Times — which is owned by Dante Ang, the former publicist of Mrs. Arroyo — ran a story that Perez would be next on the chopping block, along with Agrarian Reform Secretary Hernani Braganza, Interior and Local Government Secretary Jose Lina and Finance Secretary Jose Isidro Camacho.

Speculations are high that Perez might be dismissed after Makati Chief Prosecutor Feliciano Aspi, who was suspended for a long time, returned to his post two weeks ago.

Aspi is connected with the Villaraza and Angangco law office to which Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Avelino Cruz belonged.

Candidates to replace Perez as justice secretary are Cruz, Raul Angangco, who is another partner in the Villaraza and Angangco law firm, and Mandaluyong City Rep. Neptali Gonzales II, who is on his third and last term. — Marichu Villanueva, Katherine Adraneda, Delon Porcalla