Rody swears in 5 new officials

President Duterte yesterday administered the oath of office of five newly appointed officials, including two Cabinet members, at Malacañang.

Sworn into office were Health Secretary Francisco Duque III and presidential spokesman Harry Roque.

Duque served as health secretary during the administration of former president and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. He succeeded former health secretary Paulyn Ubial, whose appointment was rejected by the Commission on Appointments.

Roque was a nominee of the Kabayan party-list at the House of Representatives before he was named presidential spokesman.

Other officials who took their oaths were interior and local government undersecretary Eduardo Año, defense undersecretary Reynaldo Mapagu and interior and local government assistant secretary Alexander Macario.

Duterte also awarded the Order of Lapu-Lapu Kampilan Medal to a policeman who bravely confronted a knifewielding man who refused to be arrested.

The award was conferred on PO1 Ronald Anicete during a simple ceremony at Heroes Hall of the Malacañang.

The Order of Lapu-Lapu rank of Kampilan is awarded to officials, government personnel and private individuals who were seriously wounded or suffered great loss of property as a direct result of their participation in an activity in line with an advocacy of the President.