193 newly appointed gov’t officials take oath of office

Some newly appointed government officials pose with President Rodrigo Duterte following their oathtaking rites at the Malacañan Palace on May 27, 2019. PHOTO by Neil Arwin Mercado/ INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte has sworn in 193 newly appointed government officials at the Malacañan Palace on Monday afternoon.

The appointed officials came from different government agencies such as the Department of Education (DepEd), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), and the Department of Health (DOH).

Prosecutors from various city prosecutors office under the Department of Justice (DOJ) also took their oath of office.

In his message to the newly appointed officials, Duterte said they need to uphold transparency and good governance in doing their jobs as public officials.

“Let us be reminded that public office is a public trust and for the nth time as echoed by the rest of the humanity of Filipinos, that public office is a public trust,” Duterte said.

“I trust that you will perform your duties to the best of your [abilities], uphold transparency and good governance, and fight corruption in your respective offices,” he added.

While Duterte said he is confident with the appointed government officials, he also mentioned those who were relieved from their posts amid issues of corruption.

“But of late, I have fired several high-ranking officials of government,” Duterte said. “If you are performing well, if you are not sick, if you are not imbecile, eh bakit mawala ka (Why would you be left out)? So it has something to do with corruption.” (Editor: Eden Estopace)