President Arroyo has granted the request of Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez to go on a one-month sick leave for medical check-up and designated Solicitor General Agnes Devanadera as officer-in-charge of the Department of Justice (DOJ) effective Sept. 1.

Presidential Spokesman Ignacio R. Bunye said the President wanted Gonzalez to recover completely following his recent hospitalization due to a bleeding stomach ulcer. Malacanang had earlier squelched rumors that the President was planning to replace the 75-year-old Justice secretary due to his health condition.
Meanwhile, Cabinet Secretary Ricardo Saludo called on the media today to exercise fair reporting and check first the basis of the derogatory news reports and criticisms. Saludo issued the appeal in the wake of the cynical comment by certain members of the press on the recently released data showing the country’s strong second quarter economic performance.