Agnes Devanadera - Career, Timeline

Career, Timeline

• Devanadera was mayor of Sampaloc, Quezon, from 1988 to 1997.
• She was president of the League of Municipalities of the Philippines during the term of President Fidel Ramos. Devanadera contributed to PIRMA’s (People's Initiative for Reform, Modernization and Action) gathering of signatures for constitutional change to let Ramos seek reelection and lift the term limits of local officials.
• She was executive director of Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats from June 1998 to August 2000.
• She was appointed undersecretary for legal and legislative affairs, Department of the Interior and Local Government (Philippines) from April 1, 2003, to Aug. 31, 2004.
• Devanadera is a protégé of former Justice Secretary Hernando Perez, (who like her father, is resident of Batangas).
• She worked as Perez’ partner in Balgos and Perez law office, 1976 to 1987.
• Devanadera became a senior partner of the Libarios, Jalandoni, Devanadera and Dimayuga law firm; she handled cases against former Manila Rep. Mark Jimenez (a.k.a. Mario Crespo). In 2002, Jimenez charged that Devanadera went to his house to extort money. She contradicted the accusation by alleging that she politically contributed to Jimenez’ wife, Aleli Panascola's 2001 election campaign as mayor of Mauban, Quezon. Devanadera was appointed counsel of former Justice Secretary Hernando Perez who was held by the Ombudsman liable for graft and extortion regarding Manila Rep. Mark Jimenez's claim that Perez extorted $ 2 million from him. She successfully had Jimenez deported to the United States for tax evasion trial.
• She was appointed Department of Justice's (DoJ) undersecretary under Justice Secretary Simeon A. Datumanong
• On September 1, 2004, Devanadera officially assumed office as Government Corporate Counsel
• On September 29, 2005, Devanadera ordered the office of assistant government corporate counsel Efren Gonzales locked while he attended the Senate hearing on the North Rail project (regarding EO 464 controversy).
• President Arroyo appointed Solicitor General Agnes Devanadera DOJ officer-in-charge on September 1, 2007 and as acting secretary of the Department of Justice (DOJ) on September 5, 2007 to temporarily assist Raul Gonzalez (Philippines), 75, who was hospitalized for bleeding stomach ulcer and later had kidney transplant.
• Devanadera (in the 7-hour oral argument in the Supreme Court of the Philippines Hello Garci scandal), when asked by an Associate Justice how she would prefer to be addressed, since she was solicitor general and acting Secretary of Justice, she replied: “I would rather that I be there with you.” Devanadera pointing to the seat beside Chief Justice Reynato Puno, categorically admitting her quest to be Supreme Court of the Philippines Associate Justice.
• Anakpawis Rep. Crispin Beltran challenged her appointment as acting Justice Chief voicing his doubts "whether she would pursue the resolution of cases of extra-judicial killings and corruption in the country." Devanadera, per filed motion for reconsideration in the Supreme Court, blocked Beltran's release from incarceration due to the Rebellion case.