Guevarra named gov’t caretaker while Duterte is in Russia

MANILA, Philippines — Justice Secretary Menardo Gueverra has been designated officer-in-charge (OIC) while President Rodrigo Duterte is in Russia for a five-day official visit.

Duterte will be in Moscow and Sochi from October 1 to 6 where he is set to hold a bilateral meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin. This is Duterte’s second trip to Russia.

Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra will be the gov't OIC while President Duterte is in Russia. 📸 Sec. Guevarra. @inquirerdotnet pic.twitter.com/HvDJhHRkE8

— Darryl John Esguerra (@drrylesguerra) October 1, 2019

“Department of Justice Secretary Menardo I. Guevarra shall act as OIC to take care of the day-to-day operations in the Office of the President and to oversee the general administration of the Executive Department, and 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 01 to 06 October 2019,” Special Order No. 1061 read.

The Special Order, signed by Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea on Tuesday, directs all government departments, agencies, and instrumentalities to assist Guevarra in the discharge of his functions.

Duterte is set to fly to Russia on Tuesday evening. /kga