MANILA — Malacañang on Tuesday expressed regret over the Commission on Appointments’ (CA) rejection of the ad interim appointment of Health Secretary Paulyn Ubial.
In a statement, Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella also expressed the Palace’s gratitude to Ubial for her service to the Department of Health (DOH).
“We regret the CA’s non-confirmation of Department of Health Secretary Paulyn Jean Rosell-Ubial,” he said.
“We are deeply grateful for Sec. Ubial’s service to the Health Department and for epitomizing the President’s malasakit through her ‘All for Health, towards Health for All’ Philippine Health Agenda,” Abella added.
“All for health towards health for all” is the battle cry of the DOH’s Philippine Heath Agenda which aims to ensure the best health outcome for all Filipinos, regardless of socio-economic class, ethnicity, gender, and geographic location.
The CA on Tuesday approved the decision of the body’s committee on health to “withhold its consent” to Ubial’s appointment following three confirmation hearings wherein several persons opposed her confirmation for various reasons.
Ubial, who has worked in the DOH for 27 years, is the fifth Cabinet member appointed by President Rodrigo Duterte to be rejected by the powerful CA.
The others were Perfecto Yasay Jr. (Foreign Affairs), Regina Lopez (Environment), Judy Taguiwalo (Social Welfare) and Rafael Mariano (Agrarian Reform).
In the meantime, Abella said Malacañang wishes Ubial well in all her future endeavors. (PNA)
