Recto administers oath to 58 new appointees

MANILA, Philippines — Executive Secretary Ralph Recto administered the oath of office to 58 new appointees on Thursday, reminding them that their appointments are not a reward or a badge of privilege, but an insignia to serve the Filipino people. ?

“This is not a title to elevate oneself. It is a commitment to humble oneself to elevate the people,” Recto said in a statement.?

He underscored that every appointment carries the full weight of accountability, noting that officials’ names are now tied not only to themselves, but to the reputation of the administration and the trust of the Filipino people.?

The Department of Justice (DOJ) has confirmed that President Marcos promoted former DOJ assistant secretary Majken Anika Gran-Ong to undersecretary, effective Jan. 28.

Gran-Ong will be in charge of the finance, administration and personnel services cluster of the agency. 

She will also be the overall deputy of the immigration and special concerns cluster, and special deputy of the legal services and legislative liaison cluster for women and children concerns. 

Lastly, Gran-Ong will also sit as executive director of the DOJ’s Prosecution Integrity Board.

Meanwhile, an official of the Department of Health (DOH) was appointed by Marcos as undersecretary.

In a letter to DOH Secretary Ted Herbosa, Recto said, “I am pleased to transmit the appointment letter of Mr. Albert Domingo as Undersecretary, Department of Health.” — Elizabeth Marcelo, Rhodina Villanueva