By Clarist Zablan
(September 16, 2022) – The office of the President has proposed to create a new office to accommodate his executive secretary, who was rumored to be on his way out this week before President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. leaves for New York to attend the United Nations General Assembly.
There were leaked documents showing the president has issued a special order and administrative order proposing to create an Office of the Presidential Chief of Staff (OPCOS) which will serve to supervise and ensure the “day-to-day operational support” of the presidency.
No one has confirmed the existence of the special order but the president’s chief legal counsel, Juan Ponce Enrile, shot down the proposal because it would duplicate the functions of the executive secretary.
The social media was filled with rumors that a retired justice would replace Vic Rodriguez as executive secretary. There were also speculations that Crispin Remulla would move up from the justice department to Rodriguez’s lofty position.
There have been rumors about Rodriguez’ exit from his position after he got into trouble with some appointments and in the sugar importation issue. He also got the ire of some people to the president.
In the proposed administrative order, the chief of staff will have functions that will give recommendations to the president on issues of national concerns, provide counsel on policy matters and papers, advocate the initiatives of the president, and attest executive orders and other issuances of the Palace.
“It is imperative to institute a mechanism that will coordinate the activities, operations, systems, and processes directly affecting the Presidency, to ensure the effective and efficient delivery of staff support services to the President,” the leaked administrative order read.
However, Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Juan Ponce Enrile opposed the proposal, based on a leaked memo issued by his office and apparently received by Malacañang on Thursday.
He said that contrary to the admin order’s avowed purpose, the proposed office will “cause unnecessary duplication and overlapping of functions” and is inconsistent with the Marcos administration’s “right-sizing” policy.
“These powers have already been given to, and are already being exercised by, other offices, like the Office of the Executive Secretary, the Presidential Management Staff, the Office of the Special Assistant to the President, and the Office of the Chief Presidential Legal Counsel,” Enrile’s memo read.
“Also, the power to “recommend to the President strategic directions…” is already being performed by the various departments, the National Economic and Development Authority and the Cabinet clusters.”
Rodriguez and the Palace have not yet issued a statement on the matter as of writing.
Last July, Rodriguez, one of Marcos’ close allies who once served as the president’s spokesman during the 2022 election campaign, denied similar rumors that he was resigning from his post due to alleged pressure from Marcos’ “inner circle.”
(MM)
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