Zuño, state prosecutor in Estrada plunder case, retires

Jovencito Zuño on Monday ended his 35-year career in government service as chief prosecutor after reaching the mandatory age of retirement of 65. Zuño said the first order of the day for him would be to take a vacation with his family in Batangas. “I can now spend quality time with my family. Alagaan ko muna mga apo ko (I will take care of my grandchildren)." Zuño noted that he’d been in public service for 35 years, “which is more than what I’ve spent for my family." The position of chief state prosecutor has administrative supervision over around 1,750 prosecutors of the National Prosecution Service. Prosecutors determine whether there is probable cause to file a case before the proper court. Zuño’s career highlights include the successful prosecution of former President Estrada for plunder; the convictions of former Calauan Mayor Antonio Sanchez for rape-slay; Zamboanga del Norte Rep. Romeo Jalosjos for rape of a minor; and Hubert Webb and others for the Vizconde massacre. Zuño said the Alabang Boys controversy was the lowest point in his life. The Presidential Anti-Graft Commission (PAGC) suspended him for 90 days for allegedly accepting bribes from the families of wealthy drug suspects Joseph, Joseph Tecson, and Richard Brodette to junk their case. Although Malacañang lifted his suspension, the Zuno still wants the Court of Appeals, where the PAGC case is still pending, to rule on his suspension to prove his innocence. Zuño also said he did not make any recommendations to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on who should be his successor. “I did not recommend to the President. This position is very sensitive that it should be left to the sound discretion of the President. Besides, all the aspirants are close to me. They all come from the Department of Justice," he said. Among those reportedly eyeing Zuno’s post are Justice Undersecretary Ricardo Blancaflor; Senior Assistant Chief State Prosecutor Severino Gana, and Quezon City Chief Prosecutor Claro Arellano. - KBK/HGS, GMANews.TV