President Duterte has designated Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra to oversee the daily operations of the Executive department while he is Bangkok, Thailand for the 34th Association of Southeast Asian Nations summit this weekend.
Duterte appointed Guevarra as officer-in-charge in Special Order No. 631 to make sure that the government’s operations will run smoothly even if he is out of the country from June 21 to June 23.
“To ensure continuity of government service, it is necessary to designate an officer-in-charge to take care of the day-to-day operations and oversee the general administration of the Executive department,” Duterte said.
“He shall, if necessary, act for and on behalf of the President, except on matters that the President is required by the Constitution to act in person, during the time that the President is outside the Republic of the Philippines from 21 to 23 June 2019,” Duterte added.
“All acts of DoJ Secretary Guevarra for and on behalf of the President pursuant to this order shall be deemed acts of the President unless disapproved or reprobated by the President.”
All government departments, agencies, and instrumentalities are encouraged to assist Guevarra in fulfilling his functions stated in the special order.
Guevarra last served as OIC of the Executive department when Duterte was in Japan last month for a working visit. (Argyll Cyrus B. Geducos)