By ROY C. MABASA
Malacanang has declared as “vacant” all coterminous positions, including those of political ambassadors whose tours of duty were extended by former Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. several days before he left office.
Diplomatic sources explained that extensions, particularly “midnight” ones issued by an immediate preceding Department head, are not authorized nor recognized under Memorandum Circular No. 1 issued on June 30, 2022 by the newly-installed administration of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.
In the memorandum signed by Executive Secretary Victor Rodriguez, Malacanang declared that all political appointees whose appointments are classified as coterminous with the previous administration are “deemed separated from the service, and the positions held by them … are deemed vacant.”
“The illegality of the extensions have become crystal clear with the issuance of the Memo Circular,’ diplomatic sources told Politiko Saturday, in reference to Locsin’s orders extending the tenures of Amb. Enrique Manalo (United Nations), Amb. Antonio Manuel Lagdameo (London), Amb. Philippe Lhuillier (Madrid) and Amb. Jose Manuel Romualdez.
Except for Manalo who was sworn in by PBBM as his Secretary of Foreign Affairs, sources said the status of Lagdameo, Lhuillier and Romualdez “fall squarely within the coverage of the memorandum circular.”
As specified under paragraph 2 (1) of the memorandum circular, the officials concerned are expected to have turned over their function to the next ranking official who shall serve as officer-in-charge.
Manalo’s appointment as DFA chief will have to go through the confirmation of the Commission on Appointments for it to become “complete”.
On Friday, the rank and file employees of the DFA gave Manalo a ‘hero’s welcome’ when he reported back for work as their new secretary.
Sources said the festive and celebratory atmosphere at the DFA over Manalo’s appointment did not come as a surprise as the latter rose from the ladder of the career service that started in 1979.
‘It was a much-needed break from the agony that many of us here have suffered during the past six years, ” said a DFA employee who asked not to be named.
