Malacañang forms transition committee to ease transfer of power


Malacañang has named the members of the Presidential Transition Committee (PTC) that will ensure the smooth transition of power to the next administration.

File photos Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea (center), the chair of the Presidential Transition Committee (PTC) with members (L-R) Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Karl Chua, Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr., Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez, and Budget Undersecretary Tina Canda.

Based on Administrative Order (AO) No. 47, signed by Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea on May 10, Medialdea will chair the PTC while the following will serve as members of the body:

  • Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr.
  • Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez
  • Budget Undersecretary Tina Rose Marie Canda
  • Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Karl Chua

In issuing the AO, President Duterte noted the government's policy to undertake all reasonable measures to ensure a peaceful, orderly, and smooth transfer of powers to the next duly-elected president.

"The duly-elected president and his incoming Cabinet members should be given full support and cooperation by the outgoing cabinet to facilitate their assumption into office," the AO read.

"There is a need to create a Transition Committee that will work closely with the representatives of the president-elect to ensure a proper and orderly transition into the next Administration," it added.

Aside from the chair and the members of the PTC, who will assist and support the transition efforts of the President, the Office of the Cabinet Secretariat and the Presidential Management Staff shall likewise jointly "provide technical and secretariat support" to the body.

Former senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is deemed as the presumptive president after getting over 31 million votes. Duterte once said he would not endorse Marcos because he was a "weak leader."

Functions of the PTC

The PTC shall serve as the overall and central coordination of all executive departments, agencies, bureaus, government-owned or -controlled corporations (GOCCs), and other government instrumentalities relative to the transition to the new Administration.

It shall oversee the preparation and implementation of the respective transition activities of all government agencies to ensure continuity and maintain the efficiency of government services.

Internal transition committees

The AO likewise mandates all government offices to have their respective internal transition committee until May 15. These agencies shall determine the members of the internal committees based on their respective organizational structure and transition requirements.

The internal transition committees shall oversee the formulation and implementation of systems and procedures for transition to ensure continued operations of their respective departments during the transition period.