Vice President Sara Duterte is once again the country’s office-in-charge while President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. is away to participate in the high-level week of the 77th United Nations (UN) General Assembly in New York.
Marcos left for the US on Sunday, Sept. 18, to attend his first engagement with international body, and his first U.S visit since he assumed office in June.
Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles confirmed that Duterte will serve as government caretaker while Marcos is abroad.
She has been designated as officer-in-charge of the Office of the President (OP) and the executive department.
Her designation is notable because it is the first time in 12 years that a vice president was named OIC. In the previous Aquino and Duterte administrations, the role was always given to the executive secretary.
The Vice President attended the pre-departure ceremony at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 2 in Pasay City, along with First Lady Louise “Liza” Marcos and other high-ranking officials.
READ: Marcos leaves for US; will engage world leaders to ‘forge more partnerships’
In the United States, Marcos will raise the issues of climate change, rule of law, and food security before 152 heads of states and officials on Sept. 20, the first day of the General Assembly.
“The UN is where the countries of the world congregate to discuss the most pressing challenges facing our people. Thus, it is important for us to participate in the General Assembly and to make certain that our voice is heard,” he said in his departure speech.
The President said he will meet UN Secretary General António Guterres and “leaders of long-standing and important partners of the Philippines” on the sideline of the UNGA in New York.
Aside from attending the UNGA, Marcos will deliver key messages in several economic briefings during his working visit in a bid to expand and strengthen the Philippine-US trade and investment relations and attract potential US investors and partners.