Guevarra is gov’t caretaker as Duterte attends Asean Summit in Thailand

Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra is government OIC while President Rodrigo Duterte is away in Thailand. INQUIRER file photo / MARIANNE BERMUDEZ

MANILA, Philippines—Justice Secretary Menardo Gueverra has been designated officer-in-charge (OIC) while President Rodrigo Duterte is in Bangkok, Thailand for the 34th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) Summit.

Duterte will be in Bangkok from June 21 to June 23.

“Department of Justice Secretary Menardo I. Guevarra shall act as OIC to take care of the day-to-day operations in the Office of the President and to oversee the general administration of the Executive Department, and he shall, if necessary, act for and on behalf of the President, except on matters that the President is required by the Constitution to act in person, during the time that the President is outside the Republic of the Philippines from 21 to 23 June 2019,” Special Order No. 631 read.

Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra is the gov't OIC while President Duterte is in Bangkok, Thailand for the 34th ASEAN Summit. @inquirerdotnet pic.twitter.com/eIaPfikU6f

— Darryl John Esguerra (@drrylesguerra) June 21, 2019

The Special Order, signed by Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea on Thursday and was released Friday, directs all government departments, agencies, and instrumentalities to assist Guevarra in the discharge of his functions.

Duterte is set to fly to Bangkok on Friday afternoon. (Editor: Jonathan P. Vicente)

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