Duterte names Medialdea gov’t OIC during Japan trip

MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte has designated Executive Salvador Medialdea as the government’s officer-in-charge (OIC) during his trip to Japan from October 21 to 23.

Duterte signed Special order No. 1125 on October 18 assigning Medialdea 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.”

The order said Medialdea “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.”

“All acts of the Executive Secretary 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,” the order said.

Duterte will fly to Japan on Monday afternoon to attend the enthronement of Emperor Naruhito.

Aside from witnessing the enthronement, presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo said Duterte would attend two banquets during his fourth visit to Japan.