Duterte appoints Matibag as acting Cabinet secretary

President Rodrigo Duterte has appointed National Transmission Corporation head and PDP-Laban secretary general Melvin Matibag as acting Cabinet Secretary.

Duterte signed Matibag’s appointment papers on Tuesday.

Matibag replaced Karlo Nograles who has been appointed as chairperson of the Civil Service Commission. The PDP-Laban official took his oath Wednesday before Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea at the Malacañang Guest House.

"His experiences and competence will be vital to the remaining three months of the Duterte administration, such as in ensuring that President Duterte's policies and programs are efficiently managed," acting presidential spokesperson Martin Andanar said.

"We wish Acting Cabinet Secretary Matibag all the best as he assists the President, along with the members of the Cabinet, on issues and concerns that require the Chief Executive's decision and action."

In a statement, Matibag promised that he would carry out his responsibilities during the remaining months of Duterte's presidency.

“We have about three months to oversee the Cabinet Secretariat and we will make sure the important policy issues of President Duterte are acted upon and the Duterte legacy is properly established,” he said.

He also guaranteed the cooperation of the Cabinet Secretariat in ensuring a smooth transition of power to the incoming president. —AOL/VBL, GMA News