Palace: Bongbong Marcos still in ‘final evaluation stage’ in completing Cabinet

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. is still in the “final evaluation stage” in completing his Cabinet, Malacañang said Monday.

Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles said the candidates for crucial government offices such as the Department of Health are still being scrutinized.

“Walang binibigay.. na sinasabi nilang deadline. Ang sinasabi is masuri talaga ang pag-evaluate nila dito sa mga kandidato para sa mga posisyon,” she said in a press briefing.

(There is no deadline yet. What is being said is that they are really scrutinizing the candidates in the evaluation process.)

“I understand that this is now going through the final evaluation stage. So I don’t think it will take too long,” she added.

READ: No officer-in-charge yet for DOH

Asked what is taking Marcos time to select a health secretary, considering that the country is still grappling with the pandemic, Cruz-Angeles said: “Only that they have to evaluate it very well.”

“The President is quite aware. In fact, one of the priorities is managing the effects of this pandemic so you must also understand that this is so important. They must look very closely and carefully at the candidates,” Cruz-Angeles said.

Aside from the DOH, the vacant Cabinet posts so far included the Department of Energy, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, and the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development.

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