Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, February 1) — The House of Representatives will appoint a caretaker for the first district of Valenzuela after the appointment of its congressional representative, Rex Gatchalian, as secretary of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
‘
House Speaker Martin Romualdez said this on Wednesday at the sidelines of an event to mark the National Hijab Day at the House.
‘
Romualdez said he would consult with Gatchalian and the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC) about who should be appointed as caretaker.
‘
“Usually when vacancy occurs such as in the case where Cong. Rex Gatchalian has been appointed and has now taken his oath as the Secretary of the DSWD, there is a vacancy so there will be a caretaker for the duration of his absence,” Romualdez said.
‘
“We will decide that with Cong. Gatchalian and usually I also consult the party from which he comes from: NPC,” he added.
‘
Romualdez said the House would issue “at the right time” a declaration of vacancy so the Commission on Elections (Comelec) could call for a special election in Gatchalian’s district to elect a new district representative.
‘
In an interview with CNN Philippines’ News Night later, Gatchalian said he, along with the NPC, has submitted to Romualdez a list of potential nominees.
‘
“I can assure the Valenzuelanos that the district office is running without me. A caretaker will be there soon,” Gatchalian assured constituents.
‘
Gatchalian’s appointment was confirmed by Malacañang on Tuesday — the same day he took his oath of office before President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2023/1/31/Rex-Gatchalian-DSWD-Secretary.html
‘
He will replace Erwin Tulfo, whose designation as DSWD chief was bypassed twice by the Commission on Appointments. The president then named Undersecretary Eduardo Punay as officer-in-charge of the agency.
‘ ’17’: ‘contentWidth’: ‘100%’ ’embedCode’: ‘
1st day on the job.
Meeting with the Undersecretaries of DSWD…Hit the Ground Running… pic.twitter.com/YfLdzyFaT0
— Rex (@rex_gatchalian) February 1, 2023
