MANILA, Philippines — The new administration of President Rodrigo Duterte issued its first memorandum circular which seeks to ensure continuous and effective delivery of government services to the public.
Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea signed the memo which was issued on Thursday, the same day as Duterte's inauguration.
All government officials and employees were directed to continue serving until July 31 unless their appointments are revoked, resignations are accepted, replacements appointed or reappointments issued.
The order covers the following:
- All government officials and employees whose appointments are coterminous with the appointing authority and whose positions are within an agency's plantilla except the head of agency
- Those holding positions whose terms of office have expired, unless otherwise prohibited by law and/or other government rules and regulations
All coterminous positions are considered functus officio or no longer in office by 12 p.m. of June 30, Medialdea said in the memo.
"Subject officials whose positions have become functus officio are hereby directed to ensure a smooth transition and turnover of their records and documents, both hard and e-copies, to their successors and/or the highest career official/personnel in their respective agencies," the memo read.
On Thursday, Duterte took his oath of office as the country's 16th president at exactly 12 p.m. as mandated by the Constitution.
Duterte led the turnover ceremonies of the Philippine National Police and the Armed Forces of the Philippines on his second day in office.
RELATED: Duterte, Robredo meet for the first time