Vergeire named DOH OIC; Robles to head PCSO

MANILA, Philippines — Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire, one of the most prominent faces in the government’s pandemic response, has been named officer-in-charge of the Department of Health (DOH).

Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles said Vergeire will hold the post until the end of the month or until the nomination of a permanent DOH chief by President Marcos.

Angeles also announced Marcos’ designation of former Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA) administrator Melquiades Robles as general manager of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO).

Under Memorandum Circular No. 1 issued on June 30 by Executive Secretary Victor Rodriguez, a vacated top government position shall be filled by the next in rank or most senior official as OIC until July 31 or until a permanent replacement has been designated or whichever comes first.

The same memorandum circular has also paved the way for the designation of Tereso Panga as OIC-director general of the Philippine Economic Zone Authority, replacing Charito Plaza. Panga was PEZA’s deputy director general for policy and planning.

“Dr. Rosario Vergeire, currently the undersecretary for public health services of the DOH, has been named by the President as OIC of the department,” Angeles said at a press briefing yesterday.

Asked why Marcos has not yet named a health secretary, Angeles replied: “Doon sa bakit, dahil siyempre pinagpipilian pa kung sino ang mamumuno sa Department of Health (As to ‘why,’ of course, there are choices to make as to who would next head the Department of Health).”

She said the designation of Vergeire as OIC may be extended if no DOH secretary has been named before July 31.

“But we will see what will happen during that time; it is a bit speculative for now,” she added. She declined to name possible nominees to the post of health chief.

Vergeire was recently designated as incident manager of the National Vaccination Operations Center.

The DOH, in a statement, welcomed Vergeire’s designation as OIC. “DOH appreciates the President’s confidence in one of its career executives, including the immense responsibility such trust brings,” a department statement read.

“We look forward to continuing our recovery from the pandemic, and working towards universal health care for all Filipinos,” it added.

The OCTA Research Group also welcomed Marcos’ choice of Vergeire as OIC of the DOH.

“Usec. Vergeire will provide continuity and stability to the DOH. She is very competent and the public trusts her. She has been the reassuring voice of the DOH during the pandemic,” OCTA fellow Ranjit Rye said in a statement.

“While she is not a big fan of OCTA, I still believe (President Marcos) should include her in his short list of SOH candidates to finally consider,” he added.

Over the past two years, the DOH has disputed some statements of the independent research group, including risk assessments, policy recommendations and case projections.

Former health secretary and now congresswoman Janette Garin said she is “proud and confident” to have Vergeire at the helm of the DOH.

“I have worked with her, I saw her rise from the ranks, I picked her to assist me when we were cleansing FDA (Food and Drug Administration) and placed systems in DOH operations,” she said. “Later on, other Secretaries of Health saw her worth and the rest is history.”

Senators back Vergeire

Sen. Grace Poe described Vergeire as calm, knowledgeable and straightforward when updating the public as DOH spokesperson.

“Her professionalism as a spokesperson for the DOH, I believe, has gained her respect from among her colleagues and the public. She did not engage in fanfare,” Poe added. “She may be a good candidate to consider, for the DOH secretary position, eventually.”

Sen. Sonny Angara also praised Vergeire for her calm and professional demeanor.

“Hopefully she (Vergeire) can lead the department well. Her department is very crucial to the lives of our countrymen. Hopefully, there will be no issues regarding spending of department funds or allegations of corruption,” said Poe.

“We have seen her dedication and passion to serve, particularly during the Duterte administration, tirelessly working also at the forefront of our COVID-19 efforts. I am confident that she will be able to steer the health department to the best of her abilities. Given her experience, we expect that our COVID-19 response efforts will continue to be strengthened especially when it comes to vaccination,” Sen. Bong Go said.

“Rest assured that as chair of the Senate committee on health, we will continue to work closely with the executive branch and support their plans and programs for the betterment of our health sector and towards full pandemic recovery leaving no Filipino behind,” he added.

Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri said he is “ecstatic about the appointment of Usec Vergeire as OIC Secretary of the DOH as she brings with her all her experience fighting this COVID-19 and managing this pandemic.”

“A highly qualified doctor and a great communicator and have been the face of the DOH all this time and she did it without any fanfare or politicking. Because of that, she has my 100 percent support,” Zubiri added.

New PCSO chief

At the same press briefing, Angeles also announced the designation of former LRTA administrator Melquiades Robles as general manager of the PCSO.

“He (Robles) is recognized as the first administrator to have made that agency profitable,” Angeles said.

Angeles said the incoming PCSO general manager is now a businessman engaged in real estate and an owner of a rehabilitation facility. He also owns the Emerald Restaurant on Roxas Boulevard in Manila.

In 2016, then ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales ordered the indictment of Robles and ten other individuals for graft over the alleged anomalies in the LRTA’s P400-million janitorial service deal. The Sandiganbayan cleared him and the other LRTA officials of graft three years later due to lack of evidence.

Civil servants and rank-and-file employees of the PCSO, meanwhile, lauded Robles’ appointment. An official who declined to be named said Robles’ appointment signaled the return of civilian leadership over the agency.

“We were hoping to have a respite from retired police generals and colonels, and it seems our wish has been granted,” the official said.

“We prefer a businessman so we can be more corporate, because the PCSO is a GOCC anyway (government-owned or controlled corporation),” the official added.

DOJ: Lotilla can sit as DOE chief

Meanwhile, the Department of Justice (DOJ) found no legal impediment to the appointment of Raphael Lotilla as the new secretary of the Department of Energy (DOE).

“The Department of Justice believes that the nomination of Raphael ‘Popo’ Lotilla as the new Secretary of the Department of Energy is valid and lawful,” the DOJ said in a statement.

The DOJ said that Lotilla’s position as independent director of Aboitiz Power and Exenor “was not contemplated” by Republic Act No. 7638, or the Department of Energy Act of 1992 as it emphasized that the position is “sui generis” or “unique or peculiar to itself as being one of a kind.”

The DOJ also emphasized that Lotilla’s position is not an officer based on the nature, duties, functions and responsibilities in the company he is serving, as stated under the Revised Corporation Code, Securities Regulations Code and the Code of Corporate Governance.

Former energy secretary and current chairman of Alternergy group of companies Vince Pérez said he agrees to the DOJ’s position.

“I concur with the DOJ interpretation, whether in English or in Latin, that Popo Lotilla being an independent director of an energy corporation, is not an officer of such corporation,” Perez said in a statement.

Perez said the DOJ interpretation should pave the way for Lotilla to retake the helm of the energy department during these critical times.

Listed Aboitiz Power Corp. in a stock exchange filing yesterday said Lotilla resigned as lead independent director of the company effective July 11, due to his nomination to a government position.

The Philippine Independent Power Producers Association Inc. (PIPPA), in a statement, has also voiced its support for Lotilla’s nomination to the top DOE post. – Rainier Allan Ronda, Cecille Suerte Felipe, Delon Porcalla, Janvic Mateo, Mayen Jaymalin, Robertzon Ramirez, Richmond Mercurio, Catherine Talavera