(Photo courtesy of PCO)
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. administered the oath of office to 10 senior government officials at Malacañan Palace on Friday, November 6, following their ad interim appointments.
Among those appointed were Executive Secretary Ralph Recto, Justice Secretary Fredderick Vida, Budget Secretary Kim Robert De Leon, Public Works Secretary Giovanni Lopez, Labor Secretary Francis Tolentino, and Health Secretary Edwin Mercado.
Also taking their oaths were Environment Secretary Juan Miguel Cuna, Tourism Secretary Maria Bernardita Angara-Mathay, Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon, and Philippine Space Agency Director General Gay Jane Perez.
Speaking to reporters after the ceremony, Recto confirmed that all 10 officials would undergo confirmation proceedings before the Commission on Appointments (CA).
“Itong oath-taking ngayon, ibig sabihin lahat kami dito ngayon, ad interim appointments ng Pangulo,” Recto said.
“Dadaan kaming lahat sa Commission on Appointments. Nakapag-submit na tayo sa Commission on Appointments,” he added.
Most of the officials had previously served in an acting capacity before receiving their ad interim appointments.
The appointments come amid a series of leadership changes within the Marcos administration, including Dizon’s reassignment from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and Lopez’s transfer to the DPWH.
The administration has undertaken the Cabinet reshuffle as part of efforts to realign government priorities and strengthen the implementation of key programs.
Under the Constitution, ad interim appointments allow officials to assume their positions while awaiting confirmation by the CA.
The newly appointed officials will remain subject to the commission’s confirmation process.
