Marcos eyes adding people to Cabinet after appointment ban

WASHINGTON - President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. is considering adding more people in his Cabinet.

While en route to the United States on Sunday for an official visit, Marcos was asked if there would be new Cabinet members given that the appointment ban on those who ran in the last elections but lost will be over.

“Well, we’ll see. But yeah, ‘yung first year, that really was — we have to look at… Marami talagang — marami namang magaling na hindi nanalo sa eleksyon na gustong tumulong (There are many good people who ran in the last elections and want to serve). So we will  certainly look into that in different positions. Pero yeah,” Marcos told reporters.

“More or less, for the beginning of siguro the — the beginning of the second year of my term, palagay ko mayroong mga ano. Not a shuffle but we will add people to Cabinet, to strengthen the Cabinet,” he added.

Asked if he has a shortlist, Marcos said he would not announce anything.

“No, I will not announce anybody. No, they should not hear it naman from the press. They should hear it from me. Kami muna mag-usap,” said the President.

As stated in the Section 94 of the Local Government Code:

Appointment of Elective and Appointive Local Officials; Candidates Who Lost in an Election. - (a) No elective or appointive local official shall be eligible for appointment or designation in any capacity to any public office or position during his tenure.

Unless otherwise allowed by law or by the primary functions of his position, no elective or appointive local official shall hold any other office or employment in the government or any subdivision, agency or instrumentality thereof, including government-owned or controlled corporations or their subsidiaries.

—KG, GMA Integrated News