Senior House members welcomed Sunday the impending appointment of Commission on Human Rights (CHR) chairman Leila De Lima as justice secretary under the incoming Aquino administration, saying her background makes her qualified for the position.

Rep. Antonio Cerilles (Zamboanga del Sur) said De Lima is highly qualified for the Department of Justice (DoJ) post because of her background as a lawyer and track record as human rights advocate.

“Atty. Leila De Lima is a bar topnotcher and has a good record in public service. She has previously handled electoral cases as secretary of the House of Representatives Electoral Tribunal. She’s one of our few expert election lawyers,” he said.

During her stint as CHR chairperson, the lawmaker said, De Lima has sincerely and seriously fought for the respect of the primacy of human rights in the country.

“We welcome her decision to accept President-elect Noynoy Aquino’s offer to be part of his Cabinet,” he said.

With De Lima at the DoJ helm, Cerilles expressed hope that the various issues concerning rights abuses will be adequately addressed. “We hope that human rights abuses especially against mediamen will now end.”

Re-elected Rep. Ma. Isabelle Climaco (1st District, Zamboanga City) said De Lima’s appointment shows that the Aquino administration recognizes the vital role of women in nationbuilding.

“We hope there will be other female appointees in the Aquino Cabinet since we have a lot of women leaders in the country who can do great service to the people,” she said.

“But for now, we are just too happy to know that Chairman De Lima will continue to serve in the government, this time as DoJ secretary.

She has the expertise and qualification to lead the DoJ in the speedy and fair dispensation of justice in the country,” the solon said.

Rep. Janette Garin (1st District, Iloilo) said De Lima’s appointment to the DoJ post is a laudable move of Aquino.

“Chairman De Lima is a staunch advocate of justice and human rights, and the DoJ is the right place for her to continue such advocacy to help our country. She is a principled and courageous public official, and there’s no doubt she will achieve a lot during her term as DoJ secretary,” said Garin.