Larry Gadon’s camp: No need to be a lawyer to be in Cabinet

Presidential Adviser for Poverty Alleviation Lorenzo “Larry” Gadon doesn't need to be a lawyer to serve in the Cabinet of President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr., his legal counsel said on Wednesday.

Atty. Mark Tolentino said Gadon only needed Marcos' "trust and confidence."

“Pwede ka maging secretary ng isang government agency na hindi ka kailangan maging abogado as long as you enjoy the trust and confidence of the President of the Republic of the Philippines,” Atty. Mark Tolentino said in a press conference.

(You don't have to be a lawyer to be a secretary in a government agency as long as you have the trust and confidence of the President of the Republic of the Philippines.)

“And I believe, Secretary Larry Gadon enjoys the trust and confidence of our President,” he added.

Tolentino made the remark on the day the Supreme Court announced that it had disbarred Gadon over expletives and profanities against journalist Raissa Robles.

Gadon’s camp held the news conference hours after Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin said Gadon would remain a presidential adviser despite the disbarment.

Bersamin said that Marcos believed Gadon would do “a good job.”

Tolentino said  nobody could question the prerogative of the president.

For his part, Gadon said it was a “nice feeling” that Marcos’ trust in him remains whole.

The Supreme Court En Banc’s in a unanimous decision disbarred Gadon in connection with a viral video clip where he repeatedly cursed and uttered profane remarks against journalist Raissa Robles.

According to the SC PIO, the justices found the video clip "indisputably scandalous that it discredits the legal profession."

Gadon earlier brushed off his disbarment, saying he had not been practicing as a lawyer since 2015. He said he would only file a motion for reconsideration on the advice of his lawyers.

According to Tolentino, Gadon has not yet received a copy of the disbarment ruling.

He said lawyers may also immediately file for a re-admission after being disbarred

“Ang disbarment proceeding, walang tinatawag na double jeopardy in a criminal case, walang res judicata in disbarment proceeding. Ibig sabihin, there is no such thing as final. Kahit ma-disbar ka, after ilang araw, you can file for a petition of re-admission,” Tolentino said.

Tolentino said the general rule was to file for a re-admission after five years but certain cases may file for readmission immediately, subject to the decision of the Supreme Court.

Friendly debate

Meanwhile, Gadon said he would also like to hold a “friendly debate” with opposition Senator Risa Hontiveros “to measure the quality of their intelligence.”

This came after Hontiveros called on Marcos to reconsider Gadon’s appointment.

Reacting to such calls, Gadon dared his critics to become the president.

“‘Yung sa mga critics, eh ‘yung mga nag sasabi na dapat daw ay bawiin ‘yung aking appointment ay maging presidente muna sila. Hindi naman sila presidente. The power to appoint belongs to the president. So therefore, kung congressman ka lang… tumahimik ka,” he said.

(For my critics, those saying that my appointment should be taken back should become the president. They’re not the president. The power to appoint belongs to the president. So, therefore, if you are only a congressman…. you should just be quiet.)

Meanwhile, Gadon said he would tone down his remarks due to the appointment.

“In fact, during the campaign hindi na ako masyadong ano, adversarial ‘yung dating,” he said. —NB, GMA Integrated News