Purge lingers

The partisan purging in the government remains, with the recent removal of a key official who had racked up achievements during his term, as he is seen as a remnant of the previous administration.

A tattler said a new appointee was already named to the post to be vacated by the official “because the latter was an appointee of the Duterte administration.”

The relationship between the two powerful families whose alliance propelled the President and the Vice President to their posts turned sour last year, which was suspected to be the cause for the ousting of allies of the previous administration.

Despite a strong endorsement from the current Cabinet secretary who is his superior for a term extension and the backing of formidable business organizations to boot, his dream of an extension was not considered.

The source in the agency said the replacement is an outsider and a lawyer.

“She was also not active with our agency. No connection at all to us. Not organic. Good luck to us,” the source said.