Marcos to look into Rodriguez memo on career execs

MANILA, Philippines — President Marcos has vowed to look into the issues affecting career executive officials, including Memorandum Circular No. 3 issued then by former executive secretary Vic Rodriguez who got expelled by the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas over appointment of government officials.

“I am also aware of the issues affecting the CESB (Career Executive Service Board), starting with Memorandum Circular (MC) No. 3. As we walked in, together with the chairman, and he said, ‘Oh, here they all are, the CESOs (career executive service officers) and the CESEs (career executive service eligibles), all the ones who are hoping to stay on,’” Marcos said during the 49th anniversary of CESB in Pasay on Tuesday.

“Let me assure our Career Executive Service Board and the affected CESEs occupying third-level positions in the government that the Office of the President is going to review the said memorandum and look into the other hurdles faced by many CESEs in obtaining CES eligibility,” he added.

The controversial memorandum was issued by Rodriguez, who the President subsequently removed from office and appointed retired chief justice Lucas Bersamin as his new executive secretary.

Under MC No. 3 issued last July, all officers in charge of departments, agencies, bureaus and offices, non-career officials occupying career executive service posts and contractual or casual employees shall continue to perform their duties until Dec. 31 or until a replacement has been appointed, whichever comes first.

It amended MC No. 1, which directed officers in charge, non-career officials occupying career executive service posts in holdover capacity and contractual or casual employees to stay in their posts until July 31 or until their replacement has been named.

The circular prohibited officers in charge of government entities to enter into new contracts or projects or disburse extraordinary funds except for those involved in food, transportation and energy sectors or “when authorized by the President in meritorious cases.”

At the same event, Marcos urged government career executives to actively take part in pursuing his administration’s eight-point socioeconomic agenda, policies that he said “promote social justice, ensure food security, accelerate progress, protect our environment and address climate change.”

“Remember that we are here not for our own gain. We are here to bring forth a government that provides for the needs of the people. Most importantly, let us be vigilant against temptation and corruption and other acts that diminish the public trust,” the President said.