By Martin Sadongdong
The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) disclosed on Friday that it respects the sacking of one of its top executive officials on the orders of President Duterte.
Civil Defense Deputy Administrator for Administration Assistant Secretary Kristoffer James E. Purisima
(ALFRED FRIAS/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN) Mark Timbal, spokesperson of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), said the OCD submits to the wisdom of the President on the relief of its deputy administrator, Assistant Secretary Kristoffer James Purisima. "As presidential appointees, they serve at the pleasure of the President that's why we respect and submit to the President's decision on this matter," Timbal explained. An office directly under the Department of National Defense (DND), the OCD serves as the implementing arm of the NDRRMC's plans and programs. The OCD is being administered by Undersecretary Ricardo Jalad, who is also the executive director of the NDRRMC. Asked by this reporter as to who will replace Purisima, Timbal responded: "We have no information on it po." Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque confirmed the immediate relief of Purisima "due to loss of trust and confidence" on Friday morning. Hinting about the possible cause of Purisima's relief, Roque said the sacked official was at the forefront of the government's response to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. In March, Duterte designated the OCD to be the main coordinating body for all domestic donations in connection with the COVID-19 pandemic. It was also involved in the contact tracing of individuals with possible interaction to confirmed COVID-19 cases. Read more: Duterte sacks OCD official, accepts Rio’s resignation from DICT
Civil Defense Deputy Administrator for Administration Assistant Secretary Kristoffer James E. Purisima(ALFRED FRIAS/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN) Mark Timbal, spokesperson of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), said the OCD submits to the wisdom of the President on the relief of its deputy administrator, Assistant Secretary Kristoffer James Purisima. "As presidential appointees, they serve at the pleasure of the President that's why we respect and submit to the President's decision on this matter," Timbal explained. An office directly under the Department of National Defense (DND), the OCD serves as the implementing arm of the NDRRMC's plans and programs. The OCD is being administered by Undersecretary Ricardo Jalad, who is also the executive director of the NDRRMC. Asked by this reporter as to who will replace Purisima, Timbal responded: "We have no information on it po." Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque confirmed the immediate relief of Purisima "due to loss of trust and confidence" on Friday morning. Hinting about the possible cause of Purisima's relief, Roque said the sacked official was at the forefront of the government's response to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. In March, Duterte designated the OCD to be the main coordinating body for all domestic donations in connection with the COVID-19 pandemic. It was also involved in the contact tracing of individuals with possible interaction to confirmed COVID-19 cases. Read more: Duterte sacks OCD official, accepts Rio’s resignation from DICT