Medialdea is gov’t caretaker while Duterte is in Middle East

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte (center), Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea (left) and Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana (ACE MORANDANTE/Presidential Photo)

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia — President Rodrigo Duterte has designated Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea as caretaker while he is the country for his three-country Middle East swing.

Medialdea’s designation was announced by Malacañang on Monday (Apr. 10)

Duterte left the Philippines via Davao for Riyadh, the first leg of his visit to the Middle East.

He will be welcomed by Saudi King Salman on Tuesday.

Accompanying the President were some of his Cabinet secretaries, including Acting Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo, Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III, Health Secretary Paulyn Ubial, Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade and Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez.

After his Riyadh visit, during which he will also be meeting Filipino workers, Duterte will be flying to Manama, Bahrain and Doha in Qatar. SFM/rga