The Philippine Online Chronicles

Justice Secretary Leila De Lima announced on Monday that Deputy Ombudsman for Luzon Francis Jardeleza will replace Jose Anselmo Cadiz as the Solicitor-General.

The announcement was made following the the resignation of Cadiz last week.

In a text message published in the Inquirer, De Lima said that Cadiz “personally tendered his letter of resignation” to President Benigno Aquino III. “What I know is that he wants to go back to private practice,” De Lima said.

Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda also confirmed Cadiz' resignation this morning. “We confirm that Sol Gen Cadiz has resigned. We will issue a statement today,” he said in a text message to GMA News.

In an exclusive interview with ABS-CBN News last December, Aquino said that he was set to make changes in his legal team. The network cited sources who said that Cadiz could be affected by the changes mentioned by the president.

Cadiz, a University of the Philippines law graduate, was a former president of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines. As Solicitor-General, he was the head of the law firm of the Republic of the Philippines tasked to represent the People of the Philippines, the Philippine Government, its Agencies and Instrumentalities, Officials and Agents in any litigation or matter requiring the services of a lawyer.

Former Ombudsman Simeon V. Marcelo, former Supreme Court Justice Antonio Eduardo Nachura and former Justice Department heads Agnes Devanadera and Alberto Agra were among those who headed the Office of the Solicitor General in the past.

Before being appointed in the Office of the Ombudsman in July 2011, Jardeleza was the general counsel and a senior vice president of San Miguel Corporation.