Senate President Zubiri on DOH OIC Vergeire: “She knows her job very well… in the Department of Health”
SENATE PRESIDENT ZUBIRI — Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri said that he recommended DOH officer-in-charge Maria Rosario Vergeire to be the new Health Secretary.
President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr. has yet to appoint a permanent Department of Health (DOH) secretary, causing concern and inviting criticism from different groups. The Senate President, however, cited a “marites” or informant as claiming that Vergeire “does not want to be DOH secretary”.
On Wednesday, Zubiri lauded Vergeire’s performance and said he wanted to see her officially take the helm of the health department.
The Senate President told a media forum that Vergeire is “doing a great job”, adding that she’s not controversial, not political, and knows her job in the health department very well.
“Alam mo ang chismis sa sa akin, may marites na nagsabi, ayaw daw niya maging secretary kasi ano siya, career,” he said. “Kasi kapag secretary ka, pwede ka tanggalin at any time. Eh career siya, she’s been there– she’s been there for several decades na daw.“
READ ALSO: Vergeire Speaks On Appointment Of Cascolan As DOH Undersecretary
According to a report, Vergeire herself admitted having reservations on being the country’s Health Secretary because of its limited tenure, saying that she wanted to retire in the agency.
Zubiri also said that he wants to convince Vergeire to assume the position should the President offer it to her.
On Tuesday, Vergeire reiterated that she will leave it up to the discretion and the prerogative of the President whether or not he will appoint her as Health Secretary. She previously clarified that the Palace’s memorandum circular on the tenure deadline of OICs in Executive agencies didn’t apply to her.
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