Former IBP head named new solicitor general

MANILA, Philippines - President Aquino has appointed former Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) president Joel Cadiz as solicitor general, presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda announced yesterday.

The solicitor general has the same rank as a presiding justice of the Court of Appeals. He defends the executive orders or proclamations issued by the President when they are challenged before courts of law.

Cadiz, one of Mr. Aquino’s legal counsels during the campaign, was initially short-listed for labor secretary.

Cadiz is a long time private law practitioner, but also worked on pro bono cases for the poor.  He is the longest serving IBP national president (2003-2006).

He obtained his law degree from the University of the Philippines College of Law in 1986, where he also finished his pre-law.

Cadiz had filed petitions before the Supreme Court to declare former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s controversial executive orders unconstitutional.

These were EO 464, which prohibits Cabinet members, military, police and national security officials from attending congressional hearings unless permitted by the president, and Proclamation 1017, through which Arroyo declared a state of national emergency after the military claimed to have uncovered a coup plot against the administration.               

Vice President Jejomar Binay, meanwhile, said he would accept the position of presidential adviser on overseas Filipino workers if the President formally offers it to him. - With Pia Lee-Brago