Enrile, Guevarra, Faustino added in BBM’s Cabinet

FORMER senator Juan Ponce Enrile has been chosen by President-elect Ferdinand Marcos Jr. as his presidential legal adviser.

 The veteran lawmaker has accepted the position, incoming Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles said in a statement.

Enrile said he would “devote [his] time and knowledge for the republic and for BBM because [he] wants him to succeed.”

The 98-year-old Enrile served as justice secretary and defense minister under the administration of late dictator Ferdinand Marcos Sr., the father and namesake of the incoming president.

Outgoing Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra have been picked to be part of President-elect Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s Cabinet as well as former General Jose Faustino Jr. has also been added to the list of Marcos’ soon-to-be Cabinet officials.

In a statement on Friday, Press Secretary-designate Trixie Cruz-Angeles  said Enrile will be Presidential Legal Counsel, Guevarra Solicitor General, and Faustino senior undersecretary and officer-in-charge and later on secretary of the Department of National Defense (DND).

According to Angeles, Faustino would assume the Defense secretary post on Nov. 13, 2022, in compliance with the one-year ban on the appointment of retired military officers under Republic Act 6975.