Imee Marcos' criticism ‘very harsh’ — Palace

MANILA, Philippines—Malacañang on Monday described Sen. Imee Marcos’ criticism of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. decision to appoint acting secretaries as heads of departments “very harsh,” saying the move was not meant to demean or take for granted the power of the Commission on Appointments (CA). Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro reacted to Senator Marcos’ statement that the President’s “rampant practice” of appointing agency heads in acting capacities is an “emerging modus operandi” that seems to render the CA inutile. Castro said Senator Marcos’ callout was “very harsh.” “The President means no offense to the Commission on Appointments. The President is merely exercising his constitutional prerogatives. He can make an appointment in temporary or permanent positions,” she said. Among the officials still to face the CA are acting Executive Secretary Ralph Recto; acting Presidential Communications Office Secretary Dave Gomez; acting Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon; acting Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez; acting Justice Secretary Fredderick Vida; acting Finance Secretary Frederick Go; acting Budget Secretary Rolando Toledo; and acting Environment Secretary Juan Miguel Cuna. Castro said that acting secretaries can perform their roles “for a period of one year.”

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