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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Castro defends PBBM's appointment of acting secretaries

Castro defends PBBM's appointment of acting secretaries

Published Mar 23, 2026 12:13 pm  |  Updated Mar 23, 2026 01:27 pm
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. (PCO photo)
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. (PCO photo)
​Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary Claire Castro, on Monday, March 23, defended President Marcos for appointing acting secretaries and not secretaries to lead several agencies of the government.
Castro, in a press briefing, said the President "means no offense to the Commission on Appointments (CA)" after presidential sister Senator Imee Marcos called out the appointment of mere acting secretaries in the Cabinet.
The confirmation of department secretaries, who are being appointed by the President, is being done by the CA, which is composed of senators and House members.
"The President is merely exercising his constitutional prerogatives. He can make an appointment for temporary or permanent positions," she said.
Besides, Castro said, all current acting secretaries are not yet serving for a year, which is the maximum time they are legally allowed.
"Ang mga (The) Acting Secretaries can remain as acting secretaries for a period of one year. So kung susumahin po niya ang lahat ng na-appoint sa ngayon na Acting Secretaries, wala pa pong one year ang pagsisilbi sa kanilang posisyon (So as we see it, those appointed acting secretaries are not yet one year in service)," she said.
"At the President naman will submit the appointments in due time," she added.
Castro also hit Senator Marcos for being "too harsh" against the President, but not against other officials with whom she is allied.

Related Tags

Claire Castro President Marcos Bongbong Marcos Imee Marcos Senator Imee Marcos Commission on Appointments (CA)
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