Justice Secretary Vitaliano N. Aguirre II sought the cooperation of DOJ officials and employees in accomplishing the department’s mandate even as he issued a stern warning against those engaged in corruption.

During the flag-raising ceremony, Aguirre borrowed the words of Albert Camus and exhorted DOJ employees to “walk with me side by side and just be my friend ‘til my stint with the DOJ is over.”

He also reiterated the marching orders given to him by President Rodrigo Duterte when he was appointed DOJ Chief: to fight drugs, corruption and criminality especially heinous crimes. “Lalabanan po natin yan sa tulong ninyo,” Secretary Aguirre said.

He, however, warned those engaged in corrupt activities in the Department to stop their illegal activities. He said, “Hindi po katanggap-tanggap sa ating Pangulo na  magkakaroon ng kahit isang kaso ng korapsiyon dito. I will be relentless in pursuing the investigation and prosecuting these cases kaya kung meron pang magpapatuloy ng kanilang maling ginagawa, haharapin po natin yan,  tutugisin po natin yan.”

Aguirre assumed his position only last July 1 vice former Justice Secretary Emmanuel Caparas.