GCC's CORNER

SOLOMON M. HERMOSURA

Government Corporate Counsel

GCC Hermosura Takes Helm, Declares LWUA Takeover of MCWD ‘Invalid’

In a profound shift from private to public service, Atty. Solomon Hermosura has officially assumed the position of Government Corporate Counsel in early 2024.

With over 38 years of experience in the private sector, his undertaking as the highest official of the Office of the Government Corporate Counsel marks a turning point in further improving the conduct of the mandated legal institution of the country’s government owned and controlled corporations (GOCCs).

Earlier on March 19, held at OGCC Quezon City, Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP) president and CEO, Dr. Majah-Leah Ravago, paid a courtesy visit to personally welcome and congratulate the newly appointed Atty. Hermosura. As the primary, legal supervisor of all GOCCs, the appearance, guarantees the responsibility and harmony between the two agencies. Further, acting as the GCC, Atty. Hermosura is expected to play a critical role in reinforcing legal frameworks across all GOCCs.

Recently, a major legal struggle over the Metro Cebu Water District (MCWD) unfolded. To cite, on the 15th of March, Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA) installed an Interim Board of Directors at MCWD based on the grounds of governance and financial issues. Nonetheless, on April 16, MCWD formally requested legal opinion from the OGCC, questioning whether or not the takeover was legal.

In an eight-page opinion, GCC Hermosura, together with OIC Atty. Owen. M. Vidad clarified that the ‘partial takeover’ was not consistent with the PD No. 198 – the law that established LWUA and outlined its powers.

“Specifically, the partial takeover or intervention in this instance is outside the purview of Sections 36 and 61(e) of PD No. 198. Thus, the instant partial takeover or intervention of LWUA in MCWD is not valid,” concluded by the OGCC signed by GCC Solomon Hermosura.

This early pronouncement not only affirms the OGCC’s significant role under the leadership of Atty. Hermosura but also highlights a more decisive yet principled stance in ensuring that the conduct of all government corporations is within the confines of the law.

END

Previous Government Corporate Counsels

	RAMON M. DIOKNO Government Corporate Counsel December 1935 - December 1941
	MARCIAL P. LICHAUCO Government Corporate Counsel August 1946 - December 1950
	POMPEYO DIAZ Solicitor General / Government Corporate Counsel June 1951 - June 1952
	JUAN R. LIWAG Solicitor General / Government Corporate Counsel June 1952 - February 1954
	QUERUBE C. MAKALINTAL Solicitor General / Government Corporate Counsel February 1954 - July 1954
	AMBROSIO B. PADILLA Solicitor General / Government Corporate Counsel July 1954 - October 1957
	SIMEON M. GOPENGCO Government Corporate Counsel July 1958 - July 1962
	TOMAS P. MATIC, JR. Government Corporate Counsel August 1962 - January 1966
	LEOPOLDO M. ABELLERA Government Corporate Counsel February 1966 - January 1976
	MANUEL M. LAZARO Government Corporate Counsel February 1976 - February 1986
	ARIEL F. AGUIRRE Government Corporate Counsel April 1986 - November 1992
	OSCAR I. GARCIA Government Corporate Counsel November 1992 – October 1997
	VIRGILIO C. ABEJO Government Corporate Counsel April 17, 1998 – July 10, 1998
	JUN N. VALERIO Government Corporate Counsel July 1998 - March 2000
	ALLAN R. YAP Government Corporate Counsel March 31, 2000 – April 9, 2001
	AMADO D. VALDEZ Government Corporate Counsel April 10, 2001 – October 18, 2002
	MANUEL A.J. TEEHANKEE Undersecretary – DOJ / Acting GCC October 15, 2002 – May 19, 2003
	AGNES VST DEVANADERA Government Corporate Counsel September 1, 2004 – March 1, 2007
	ALBERTO C. AGRA Government Corporate Counsel March 2, 2007 – March 1, 2010
	RAOUL C. CREENCIA Government Corporate Counsel November 2, 2010 - October 5, 2015
	IRENEO M. GALICIA Government Corporate Counsel October 12, 2015 – June 30, 2016
	RUDOLF PHILIP B. JURADO Government Corporate Counsel April 26, 2017 – May 28, 2018
	ELPIDIO J. VEGA Government Corporate Counsel October 2, 2018 – June 10, 2022
	ROGELIO V. QUEVEDO Government Corporate Counsel October 2, 2022 – February 28, 2024

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