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Catalan quits as acting prosecutor general
MANILA — Makati City Prosecutor Jorge Catalan Jr. has resigned from his post as Acting Prosecutor General, Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra confirmed Thursday.
Catalan was appointed acting Prosecutor General after his predecessor Claro Arellano was appointed administrator of the Philippine Overseas Employment Agency (POEA).
Guevarra said he granted Catalan’s request.
“He just asked to be relieved from his concurrent duty as acting prosecutor general so that he may focus on his full-time job as CP (City Prosecutor) for Makati,” Guevarra said in a text message sent to Philippine News Agency.
In a two-page letter sent to the DOJ chief, Catalan said he wants to focus as City Prosecutor in Makati, adding that he cannot compromise and sacrifice performance and productivity by holding on to both offices.
“Concurrent with my capacity as City Prosecutor of the Office of the City Prosecutor of Makati, a year ago, I was similarly designated as acting Prosecutor General. Much as I would like to carry on with the parallel arrangement, I am committed to dedicate only the best of what I can offer. In the long run, I cannot compromise or sacrifice my performance and productivity by holding on to both offices,” Catalan said.
“The privilege was truly an honor and a challenge to be able to organize and manage both offices, despite the exigent demands of supervisory work it entailed,” he added.
Meanwhile, Guevarra said he will announce Catalan’s replacement to the post on Friday.