Duterte to preside over Cabinet meet next week

MANILA, Philippines — President Duterte is expected to preside over a Cabinet meeting next week, one of his last, if not his last, as chief executive.

Acting presidential spokesman Martin Andanar mentioned the Cabinet meeting during a press briefing yesterday after he was asked if Duterte would appoint commissioners of the Commission on Human Rights (CHR), a body that has been critical of the government’s war on drugs.

According to previous reports, the terms of CHR chair Leah Tanodra-Armamento and Commissioners Karen Gomez-Dumpit, Gwen Pimentel Gana and Roberto Cadiz expired on May 5.

“I do not have information on that question. But we will get back to you for the answer after the Cabinet meeting next week,” Andanar said.

Asked if the meeting would be Duterte’s last, Andanar replied, “We will see if it’s the last or there will be changes.”

Duterte has formed a transition committee to ensure a smooth transfer of power to his successor.

However, official talks with the representatives of presumptive president Ferdinand Marcos Jr. were put on hold because he has yet to be proclaimed.

Andanar said the Duterte administration’s transition committee is still waiting for the official proclamation of the winner in the presidential race.

Duterte has not reacted to Marcos’ choice of Cabinet members, Andanar said.

“The marching orders of the President covered two things: first, the inauguration; second, the transition of the different departments or Cabinet portfolios. So far, those are the only transition orders given to us. As to the mode of transition, we are given a free hand,” Andanar said.

He said Duterte has also not commented on the inauguration of his daughter, presumptive vice president Sara Duterte-Carpio.

Andanar said the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO), the department he heads, created its own transition committee last December.

“All our attached or line agencies should come up with a report for the team of the presumptive president. They should explain thoroughly the current projects, the rationale of the projects of the administration of President Duterte,” Andanar said.

“Give them the reason why we have engaged or we have implemented these projects so that the team of the presumptive president will understand why we undertook such programs, with the hope that the projects will continue for the betterment of the PCOO and the Office of the Presidential Spokesperson,” he added.