Recto, et al get permanent seats

Eleven cabinet officials were sworn in, mostly after serving in their posts for a long time, as full-fledged secretaries of their respective departments.

On Friday, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. officially installed, via ad interim appointment, Executive Secretary Ralph Recto, Justice Secretary Fredderick Vida, Public Works and Highways Secretary Giovanni Lopez, and Labor Secretary Francis Tolentino.

Also sworn in as secretaries were Edwin Mercado for the Department of Health, Juan Miguel Cuna as Environment and Natural Resources Secretary, Maria Bernardita Mathay for the Department of Tourism, Vince Dizon for the Department of Transportation, Kim Robert de Leon for the Department of Budget and Management, and Gay Jane Perez as director general of the Philippine Space Agency.

Finance Secretary Frederick Go was sworn in by the President on Thursday night.

Recto said Malacañang has already submitted the sworn officials’ appointment papers to the Commission on Appointments (CA).

CA confirmation needed

Unlike temporary or acting designations, an ad interim appointment is permanent.

Once the appointee has qualified, the President can no longer unilaterally withdraw the appointment. The appointee must still be submitted to the CA for consent

Castro said the President reminded officials to focus more on the welfare of every Filipino, especially as Christmas approaches.

The President emphasized the need to ensure that prices of basic necessities are affordable and not excessive, so as not to burden families preparing for the Christmas season.