Solicitor General Menardo Guevarra announced he will return to a “quiet and peaceful private life” after being replaced by University of the Philippines (UP) Law Dean Darlene Berberabe.

“I am happy for Darlene Berberabe. As a top-caliber lawyer with an impressive management background, she will surely do well as Solicitor General,” Guevarra said in a statement. “As for me, maybe it’s time to go back to a quiet and peaceful private life. Salamat!”

Berberabe, who previously led the Pag-IBIG Fund during the Aquino administration, was officially sworn in by President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. as the new head of the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG).

Her appointment comes at a time when the OSG faces legal and political scrutiny, especially in relation to the Philippines’ engagement with the International Criminal Court (ICC).

In March, Guevarra filed a manifestation before the Supreme Court to withdraw OSG representation for several officials, including Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin and Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla. The move came in response to habeas corpus petitions filed by the Duterte children, seeking the release of former president Rodrigo Duterte from detention at The Hague.

Guevarra cited the government's longstanding rejection of ICC jurisdiction, stating the OSG could no longer “effectively represent” the officials due to accusations of unlawful cooperation with international prosecutors.