Local execs back government corporate counsel as SC justice

The country’s local executives are throwing their support for the appointment of government corporate counsel (GCC) Agnes VST Devanadera as associate justice of the Supreme Court.

The League of Cities of the Philippines (LCP) and the League of Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP) said Devanadera was eminently qualified to be SC associate justice.

"She is committed to good governance whether in the private or public sectors and to the upliftment of the interest and welfare of the poor and the needy through proper representation by the Local Government Units," said LCP president and Iloilo City Mayor Jerry P. Treñas.

LMP national president Ramon Guico Jr. said Devanadera’s experience was not limited to law since she also served as municipal mayor of Sampaloc, Quezon for three consecutive terms.

"She is an advocate of people empowerment, local autonomy, women’s and children’s rights, and staunch supporter of legislative reforms," Guico said.

Devanadera was appointed GCC in September 2004. Before that, she was undersecretary for legal and legislative affairs of the Department of the Interior and Local Government where she led the investigations on the Oakwood mutiny and the Anti-illegal Drug campaign as national action officer.

Under her watch as GCC, Devanadera established a zero-backlog policy requiring GCC lawyers and staff to beat deadlines. She successfully prosecuted cases for government corporations including the case between the Manila International Airport Authority and the City of Parañaque which resulted in a landmark decision by the SC in July 2006 in favor of MIAA.

Devanadera was also instrumental in overseeing the bidding process for Maynilad, and participated in the preparations for the successful public offering of PNOC-Energy Development Corp.

Devanadera earned her law degree from the Ateneo de Manila University in 1976.