PHOTO: official facebook page of the Office of the Press Secretary
President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has appointed two new officials at the Office of the Press Secretary (OPS).
The OPS said on Saturday that the President has appointed Cherbett Karen Maralit and Francisco Rodriguez III as new undersecretary and assistant secretary of the OPS.
In a statement, the OPS said Maralit was the former chief of staff of then Senate Minority Leader and now Presidential Chief Legal Counsel Juan Ponce Enrile.
Maralit also served as chief of staff of Senate Pro Tempore Loren Legarda.
Head writer
The OPS, meanwhile, said Rodriguez is a communications professional with extensive experience in both media and public relations.
The OPS said he previously served as the President’s traditional media team’s head writer during the May 2022 presidential elections.
Both officials had already taken their oath of office before the President in Malacañang.
Terms of OICs extended
Based on its website, the OPS has 15 undersecretaries and assistant secretaries with undersecretary Cheloy Velicaria-Garafil as officer in charge (OIC).
On Dec. 29, Mr. Marcos extended the terms of OICs of various agencies and departments as their appointments expired on Dec. 31.
According to Memorandum Circular No. 12, the extension of the tenures of the OICs would “ensure continuity in government operations.”
As of Dec. 31, the President has yet to appoint the secretaries of the Department of Health, Department of Agriculture, the Department of National Defense and the OPS. INQ
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