Top Comelec, COA, DOH, CSC posts still vacant Palace still weighing options on key vacant gov’t posts
Malacañang on Wednesday said they are still looking for the right people who will replace the vacated posts in the Commission on Elections (Comelec), Commission on Audit (COA), Department of Health (DOH)as well as the Civil Service Commission (CSC).
Presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said the Palace wants to make sure those who will replace the former heads of the posts at the Comelec, COA and CSC will have the same integrity and reputation.
He said the appointments in the said positions are still being studied.
“These are very sensitive positions. We’re looking at the heads of the independent constitutional com- missions. So we’re looking at the right people for the job,” Lacierda said.
He then asked for patience from the public as these positions are still waiting to be filled up.
“It certainly will take time to find the right people who just vacated these important positions. You’ve got the likes of, for instance, (COA) Chairman Grace Tan who has established a very sterling reputation. So you would like to have someone who has the same level of integrity and reputation as Chairman Grace Tan for instance,” Lacierda said.
Lacierda, however, assured that work continues in the independent commissions despite the absence of a head in the Comelec, COA and CSC.
“The work of these independent commissions are not stopped by rea- son of the non-appointment of their chairmen. Tuloy pa rin ang trabaho sa Comelec, sa Civil Service, at saka sa Commission on Audit,” he said.
“Bottom line is we’re looking at a person who will lead the commissions in a manner that have been left behind by those who led them previously,” he added.
As for the new Health Secretary, Lacierda said, “We will wait for the final decision as to who will lead the Department of Health.”
Currently, DOH Undersecretary Janette Garin is the officer-in-charge of the DOH.
It will be recalled that Comelec commissioner Sixto Brillantes, COA commissioner Grace Pulido-Tan and CSC chairman Francisco Duque III retired last February 2.