Inq7.net reports that Solicitor General Alfredo Benipayo has tendered his resignation effective April 1, 2006, thus ending his long and distinguished career in government. Sec. Raul Gonzalez, of the Department of Justice said the reason for the resignation was Benipayo's desire to go back to private life. See story here.
Predictably, the Palace will downplay this major setback, in spite of the fact that it has a number "must-win" cases that are pending with the Supreme Court, which cases Sol-Gen Benipayo would leave behind.
But we cannot help but speculate about the reason for the sudden decision of Sol-Gen Benipayo to resign. Was he privately castigated for having admitted to the press that the police erroneously implemented Proc. No. 1017? Does he think his task of winning those "must-win" cases is impossible? Is he sick and tired of always defending the wrong side? is one plus one equals two? Was he asked to leave so a more trusted Palace protege (i.e., Sigma Rhoan, Rotarian, or Ateneo law classmate of you know who) could take his place? Yet, no matter how hard the Palace will try to unmate Benipayo's resignation with the ugliness of the cases it has thrown to the Sol-Gen's door, considering that this is a precarious situation for the Government to have its chief counsel walking out, people will think that this is a case of a lawyer dumping his impossible client.
Viva Benipayo!
No comments:
Post a Comment