MANILA, Philippines - Justice Secretary Agnes Devanadera on Tuesday turned over her position to Solicitor-General Alberto Agra.

With this, Agra will be holding the concurrent positions of solicitor-general and justice secretary.

However, Agra said he has resigned as head of the Office of the Government Corporate Counsel (OGCC) to handle the work load and responsibilities of justice secretary. 

When asked about his position on whether President Arroyo should appoint the next Chief Justice, the justice secretary, who is also a member of the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC), explained he already came out with his stand even before he was named to his new post.

As solicitor-general, Agra said he already gave the opinion that midnight appointments by the president do not include the judiciary, and President Arroyo is not barred from appointing new members of the High Court, or the JBC from submitting a short list to the president.

On the Ampatuan multiple murder case, Agra said he has not yet been briefed about it, but he will try to expedite the case as the Department of Justice (DOJ) does with all other cases.

Agra added that since he will only hold the post of justice secretary for 4 months, he has no intention of doing anything drastic in the DOJ.

He said there will be no big movements or any move to overhaul the department.  "Ayokong mangbulabog," Agra said. -- report from Timi Nubla, ABS-CBN News