MANILA, Feb. 8 – Department of Justice (DOJ) Chief State Prosecutor Jovencito Zuno formally retired from government service upon reaching the mandatory retirement age of 65 on Monday.
Zuno, who served as chief state prosecutor at the DOJ for 13 years, plans to return to his home province in Batangas and spend his retirement years with his grandchildren.
He said he did not recommend anybody as his possible replacement to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
Among those reportedly vying to become the next Chief State Prosecutor are Justice Undersecretary Ricardo Blancaflor, Senior Assistant Chief State Prosecutor Severino Gana Jr. and Quezon City Prosecutor Claro Arellano.
Zuno said that in his 30 years of public service, he became instrumental in the successful prosecution of the plunder case against former President Joseph Estrada and the conviction of former Zamboanga del Norte Rep. Romeo Jalosjos, Hubert Webb and others implicated in the Vizconde massacre.
He considered as the lowest point in his career the linking of his name to the so-called "Alabang Boys" controversy, wherein he was suspended due to alleged bribery to exonerate the accused in the case.
Zuno said he hopes that the ruling of the Court of Appeals (CA) will eventually clear his name. (PNA)
scs/PTR