MANILA: Benedicto Malcontento has stepped down as prosecutor-general of the Department of Justice’s National Prosecution Service, following the forwarding of a complaint against former President Rodrigo Duterte to the Office of the Ombudsman without prior evaluation by the DOJ.**
According to Philippines News Agency, Malcontento’s resignation was formally submitted to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. in a letter dated October 16. The resignation was delivered through Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla. Malcontento, who was appointed by former President Duterte, had been on wellness leave after the controversial decision that bypassed the typical procedural evaluation by the DOJ prior to forwarding cases to the Ombudsman.
Justice Secretary Remulla had previously indicated that the complaint should have undergone assessment by the DOJ to determine if it warranted further action by the Office of the Ombudsman. Malcontento, who shares a fraternity affiliation with Duterte from their time at San Beda Colle
ge of Law, assumed the role of prosecutor-general following the retirement of his predecessor, Victor Sepulveda, in 2017.
In the interim, Senior Deputy State Prosecutor Richard Anthony Fadullon has been named as the officer in charge of the National Prosecution Service, ensuring the continuity of its operations.