DOJ errs in promotion of prosecutor

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Justice (DOJ) admitted yesterday there has been a mistake in the promotion of a junior prosecutor handling the election sabotage case against former President and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

The appointment papers of Prosecution Attorney Mark Roland Estepa were returned to the Palace after the State Prosecutors Association (SPA) questioned his promotion to the post of senior assistant state prosecutor (SASP), bypassing over 80 more senior DOJ prosecutors.

Prosecutor General Claro Arellano, head of the DOJ’s prosecutorial arm, told The STAR they returned the appointment papers, which gave Estepa rank of Prosecutor III, equivalent to SASP.

“There was a clerical error. He should be Prosecutor II or assistant state prosecutor (ASP) level and not Prosecutor III,” he explained.

Arellano confirmed that SPA officers, led by ASP Michael Vito Cruz, met with him and inquired about the appointment. 

“I already explained to them what happened. There is really no bypassing of senior prosecutors or any violation of law the civil service procedures,” he stressed.

The DOJ official also clarified that Estepa has not taken his oath of office yet, contrary to an earlier report. 

The STAR reported yesterday that Estepa has been promoted despite his being junior in the DOJ hierarchy – with only three years in service and no convictions.