Executive Secretary Lucas P. Bersamin has extended the term of all the coterminous officials and personnel in the Office of the President (OP) until the end of the year.
Bersamin issued Memorandum Order No. 7, which will allow those with “coterminous appointments” to continue performing their duties and functions until 31 Dec. 2022 unless their appointments are sooner revoked, resignations accepted, replacements appointed or reappointments issued.
The Palace official came out with the order immediately after he was appointed by President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos, Jr. last Sept. 27.
OP Human Resource Management Director Andrea Maila Ordanez lauded the new issuance since it addressed the concerns of coterminous personnel and officials, who were unsure of their employment status after the resignation of former Executive Secretary Victor D. Rodriguez last month.
It was Rodriguez, who issued Memorandum Circular No. 3 last July, which allowed officer-in-charge of departments, agencies, bureau, and office, non Career Executive Service (CES) occupying CES positions, contractual or casual employees to continue to perform their duties and discharge their functions until 31 Dec. 2022.
“It is really hard to be in that place of uncertainty especially this coming Christmas season, wherein our only wish is for each of us to be happy,” Ordanez said during the flag-raising ceremony hosted by the Office of Executive Secretary at the Mabini Quadrangle in Malacañang last Monday.
In his speech after the ceremony, Bersamin urged all officials and personnel of the OP to serve with “sincere compassion” and loyalty to the President and the Constitution.
“We must endeavor to uphold the rule of law in every action that we take in the discharge of our duties and responsibility. Always bear in mind that we are undeserving of our positions if we cease to be just and lawful,” Bersamin said.
Image credits: Supreme Court PIO via CNN Philippines