DOJ announces revamp

 

The Department of Justice announced that a revamp was implemented within the agency last December, a spokesman said Thursday.

Undersecretary Emmanuel Caparas, who also serves as DOJ spokesman, told reporters that Justice Secretary Alfred Benjamin Caguioa ordered the reduction from 12 to four the number of offices under the supervision of Assistant Geronimo Sy.

Sy used to supervise 12 "areas of responsibilities" including the  Office for Competition, Office of Cybercrime and Planning and Management Service in the Department Proper during the tenure of Justice Secretary Leila De Lima.

The recent reorganization left Sy with only the Public Sector Labor Management Council, National Privacy Commission, National Price Coordinating Council, and Committee on Women in Development within his sphere.

Caparas said Sy remains to be a part of the Bids and Awards Committee in charge of the bidding for the construction of the National Bilibid Prisons facility in Nueva Ecija.

“Up to now, there’s been no change yet in the constitution of the BAC,” he said.

De Lima resigned in October after she filed a certificate of candidacy for senator in next year's elections.

“The Office of Cybercrime and Competition were placed under my supervision, this took place December 4. There was a department order issued by the Secretary delineating the functions of Usecs and Asecs,” Caparas said in a press conference.

Asked why Sy’s powers were whittled down, Caparas said it was a "management prerogative".

“So that there will be efficiency in the operation of the office and both offices are able to faithfully comply with their obligations. Both of these offices, may mandates yan under the law.  These are just steps we are taking to make sure that we comply with those mandates,” he said.

Caparas said he is now overseeing the units that were used to be under Sy.

“His activities are under my oversight function, his responsibilities are my responsibilities as well,” he said.

Department Circular 047 enumerating the delineation of responsibilities states that “undersecretaries shall have direct supervision and control over the matters delegated to their assistant secretaries.” — APG, GMA News