MANILA, Philippines – Kinumpirma ng Congress of the Federated States of Micronesia ang pagkakatalaga sa kauna-unahang Filipino ng nasabing bansa bilang Justice Secretary.
Sa pamamagitan ng Congressional Resolution No. 23-214, kinumpirma ng Twenty-Third Congress of the Federated States of Micronesia ang appointment ni Leonito Bacalando Jr.
“Be it resolved by the Twenty-Third Congress of the Federated States of Micronesia, Fifth Regular Session, 2024, that Congress hereby confirms the nomination of Mr. Leonito M. Bacalando Jr., Esq. to serve as the Secretary of the Department of Justice of the Federated States of Micronesia.”
Ang resolusyon ay pinirmahan noong Setyembre 25, 2024.
Si Bacalando ay personal na pinili ni President Wesly Simina noong nakaraang taon.
Nagpapasalamat naman si Bacalando sa pagkakataon na makapaglingkod sa kanyang ‘adopted homeland’ at iginiit ang kahalagahan ng kanyang gampanin sa promosyon ng hustisya, pagiging patas at humanity.
“I feel very good about it, not because this is the first time, no. I think I feel good about it because this sends a very good message to the world in terms of what Filipinos can do. I’m proud of my family, I’m proud of the community that I represent in the Philippines, and proud of the community where I belong now as my second home,” sinabi ni Bacalando sa panayam ng GMA News.
Si Bacalando ay nagmula sa Biliran, Leyte at nagtapos ng law studies sa University of San Carlos, Cebu.
Nagsimula ang kanyang career noong 2002 nang siya ay lumipat sa Micronesia at nagging bahagi ng Attorney General’s Office. RNT/JGC
