Medialdea is gov’t caretaker

President Duterte has designated Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea as caretaker while the Chief Executive is on a two-nation swing in Myanmar and Thailand starting yesterday until Thursday to complete his tour of Southeast Asia.

Acting Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo, Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez, Communications Secretary Martin Andanar, National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon, Senators Vicente Sotto III

and Alan Peter Cayetano and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) secretary general Isidro Lapeña will be part of the official delegation, Malacañang said yesterday.

Duterte is scheduled to meet Myanmar President U Htin Kyaw to discuss the strengthening of bilateral relations between the Philippines and Myanmar.

“We will strengthen partnerships for positive change as we engage our region and our world,” Duterte said during pre-departure ceremonies at the Davao International Airport.

Durterte said the visit to Myanmar and Thailand was part of the final leg of his introductory trips to Association of Southeast Asian Nations member countries.

The Philippines is set to host the 30th ASEAN Summit and Related Meetings in Manila next month.

During Duterte’s visit, Philippine Ambassador to Myanmar Alex Chua said a Memorandum of Understanding on Food Security and Agricultural Cooperation would be signed. Since the establishment of bilateral ties in 1956, the economic relations between the Philippines and Myanmar continue to grow, Chua said.

Duterte will also meet with the key political figures in Myanmar.

“President Duterte’s meeting with President U Htin Kyaw, Myanmar’s first civilian president in five decades, is a concrete manifestation of the Philippines’ continued support for countries in the region,” Chua said.

The President will also meet State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi to discuss regional cooperation and Commanderin- Chief Senior General Min Aung Hlaing to explore deepening of bilateral defense cooperation.

“My visit will underscore our commitment to deepen partnership with Myanmar towards a brighter and better future. As developing countries with similar historic experiences and facing the same challenges, we can use the synergies or interests as basis for strengthened cooperation,” Duterte said during his predeparture speech.