Department of Health (DOH) Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire may still remain as the officer-in-charge of the state health agency after this year ends.
In a press briefing, Vergeire noted that she is not covered by the Memorandum Circular No. 3 issued by the Malacanang last July.
This memorandum "extends the authority of Officers in Charge until December 2022, unless a replacement has been designated or appointed, whichever comes first," the Malacanang explained last July.
Vergeire noted that this memorandum only applies “for those non-CESO (Career Executive Service Officer) occupying CESO position.”
“I am not part or I am not affected by the memorandum circular because I am a career executive,” she said on Tuesday, Dec. 13.
No deadline was given when she was tapped as DOH OIC, said Vergeire.
“The memorandum issued by the Office of the President when I became OIC last July 14 of this year, did not state any deadline or timeline as to until when will I be an OIC,” she said.
“It specifically stated that this grant of authority shall take effect immediately and until a secretary of health has been duly appointed or unless this grant of authority is sooner revoke. But there was no timeline as for example until Dec. 31,” she added.
Vergeire has been serving as the DOH OIC since the start of the Marcos administration this year. Last July, she expressed openness if she will be picked as the next health secretary.
In October, Vergeire admitted that the DOH chief position was not offered to her, noting that she also has “reservations” if such an offer will be made.
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