PRESIDENT Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos, Jr. has extended the term of Carlito G. Galvez Jr. as the head of the Office of Presidential Adviser on Peace Process, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU).
In his Memorandum Order (MO) No. 1, Executive Secretary Victor D. Rodriguez said Galvez will serve in a holdover capacity.
He said the designation will last “until 31 December 2022 or until his replacement is appointed, whichever comes first, unless he is reappointed in the meantime.”
The Palace official said the extension aims to prevent any disruption in the government’s peace process initiative.
Part of the mandate of OPAPRU is to negotiate a settlement with different rebel groups and reintegrate their members to society.
Galvez was first assigned to his current post by President Rodrigo R. Duterte in 2018.
The former Philippine Army General was also the concurrent chief implementer of the National Taskforce Against Covid-19 in the previous administration.
MO 1 took effect on June 30, 2022, but was only released to the media on Saturday.
Marcos has yet to bare his peace process plan in detail.