Performance of all presidential appointees under review, says PCO

FILE PHOTO: Presidential Communications Office Secretary Cheloy Garafil confirms on Monday, February 5, 2024, the existence of a memorandum that aims to conduct a review of the performance of all presidential appointees during the administrations of former president Rodrigo Duterte and incumbent President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. PHOTO: PCO/RTVM

MANILA, Philippines — The performance of all presidential appointees during the previous and current administrations is now under review, the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) said Monday.

PCO Sec. Cheloy Garafil confirmed a memorandum circulating online which requires all heads of government departments and agencies to submit their updated personal data sheet, clearances, and other documents.

“This is a directive to all presidential appointees, including those appointed by President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr., as part of performance review and to ensure continuing qualifications to remain in office,” Garafil explained in a Viber message to reporters.

While Garafil gave assurance that the review would be fair for all presidential appointees, its timing raises questions since its conduct followed a heated verbal exchange between Marcos and his predecessor, Rodrigo Duterte.

READ: Amid Duterte-Marcos verbal spat, public must stay neutral – groups

During a rally staged by the Dutertes in their hometown Davao City on January 28, the former president accused Marcos of being a drug addict. Marcos brushed the allegations aside but pointed to Duterte’s prolonged fentanyl use as a possible explanation for his predecessor’s pronouncements against him.

In the same rally that coincided with the pro-administration “Bagong Pilipinas” rally in Manila, Duterte’s son, Davao City Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte, called on Marcos to resign.

READ: Ka Leody thinks Baste Duterte’s Marcos resign call ‘self- serving’

Duterte’s tirade against Marcos took a turn for the extreme when he called for a separate Mindanao, prompting Marcos administration officials to release statements of peace and unity.

National Security Adviser Eduardo Año said the government is ready to use force to quell secessionist movements.

“Any attempt to secede any part of the Philippines will be met by the government with resolute force, as it remains steadfast in securing the sovereignty and integrity of the national territory,” Año said in a statement.