Acting Senate President Pro Tempore Juan Miguel Zubiri on Thursday, July 14 said he is ecstatic on the designation of Department of Health (DOH) Undersecretary and spokesperson Ma. Rosario S. Vergeire as DOH officer-in-charge (OIC).
“She brings with her all her experience fighting this Covid-19 and managing this pandemic,” Zubiri pointed out.
“She has been the face of the DOH all this time and she did it without any fanfare or politicking,” he added.
Asked by Senate reporters if Vergeire has his vote as DOH secretary or as DOH OIC, Zubiri replied: “Either way.”
Senator Grace Poe also expressed hope that Vergeire would eventually become the DOH secretary.
“She’s very calm, seems knowledgeable, rational, fair and impartial. She is straightforward when updating the public,” Poe said.
Poe pointed out Vergeire’s professionalism as spokesperson for the DOH, ‘’I believe, has gained her respect from among her colleagues and the public… She did not engaged in fanfare.’’
“She may be a good candidate to consider, for the DOH secretary position, eventually,” she added.
Senator Sonny Angara also welcomed Vergeire’s designation as DOH OIC, saying she “acquitted herself well during the pandemic with her calm and professional demeanour.”
“Hopefully she can lead the department well. Very crucial ang kanyang departamento sa buhay ng mga kababayan natin (Her department is very crucial in the lives of our people),” Angara said.
Angara also expressed hope that issues regarding the disbursement of funds by the DOH would be put to rest with her at the helm of the DOH.
“Sana wala ng magiging mga isyu sa paggastos ng pondo ng departamento lalo na sa mga malalaking kontrata at allegasyon ng katiwalian (I hope there would be no more issues on how the department is spending its funds especially regarding huge contracts and allegations of corruption),” Angara said.
A Malacanang memorandum stated that effective June 30 , “the OIC shall perform the duties and discharge the responsibilities of the office until 31 July 2022, or until a replacement has been appointed or designated, whichever comes first.”