Palace extends authority of officers-in-charge until yearend

Metro Manila, July 29 ------ Malacañang has extended the authority of officials designated as officers-in-charge of departments without permanent heads.

Instead of expiring on July 31 as stated on Memorandum Circular No. 1, Executive Secretary Vic Rodriguez extended the validity of their authority until Dec. 31 unless a replacement has been appointed, Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles said. Among the agencies with OICs are Department of Health and Department of National Defense. This means the OICs can continue serving in a temporary capacity until yearend.

Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire serves as DOH OIC pending the announcement of a new secretary one month since President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. assumed office. Ex-Armed Forces chief Jose Faustino Jr. is temporarily serving as undersecretary and OIC of DND due to the one-year appointment ban on retired military officials.

Source: cnnphilippines.com