By Azer Parrocha (PNA)
MANILA — President Rodrigo R. Duterte has designated Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea as officer-in-charge while he is on official trips to Singapore and Papua New Guinea.
Duterte will be in Singapore to attend the Association of Southeast Asian Nation (ASEAN) Summit from Nov. 12 to 15 and in Papua New Guinea to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leaders’ Meeting from November 16 to 18.
Under Special Order No. 1265, Duterte designated Medialdea to ensure the continuity of government service and take care of the day-to-day operations of the Office of the President, and oversee the general administration of the Executive Department.
Medialdea will be tasked to oversee the general administration of the Executive Department and if necessary, act for and on behalf of the President – except on matters that the President is required by the Constitution to act in person while the President is out of the country.
All departments, agencies, and instrumentalities of the government have been tasked to assist Medialdea in the discharge of his functions.
All acts of Medialdea, for and on behalf of the President, shall also be deemed acts of the President unless disapproved or reprobated by the President.
During the ASEAN Summit in Singapore, Duterte and other ASEAN leaders are expected to meet with their dialogue partners from Australia, China, Republic of Korea, Russia, and Japan.
They will be tackling topics ranging from peace, security, economy, and overall well-being of Filipinos.
Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said the ASEAN Summit will be an “opportunity” for the Philippine government to join in discussions pertaining to the progress of the ASEAN Community blueprints
Meanwhile, the President will join the APEC Leaders’ Summit to advance and assert peace, prosperity and independence in pursuit of a comfortable and secure life for all Filipinos.
Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Ernesto Abella said Duterte and other leaders will help formulate a new and inclusive APEC Vision beyond the year 2020, raise awareness on efforts of the Philippine government to ensure food security, and advance economic opportunities for women overseas.
Abella said Duterte is also scheduled to meet Filipinos in Papua New Guinea. There are over 40,000 Filipinos living there.
