President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has appointed Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla, and Agrarian Reform Secretary Conrado Estrella III to oversee the country’s operations during his upcoming visit to the United Arab Emirates, Malacañang announced on Monday.
Press Secretary Cesar Chavez informed reporters that the three officials will function as a “caretaker committee” in the President’s absence.
Marcos is scheduled to meet UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan on November 26 in Abu Dhabi.
In a shift from previous practice, Vice President Sara Duterte, who often served as caretaker during Marcos’ international trips, was not designated this time. Relations between Marcos and Duterte have recently deteriorated, following her resignation as education secretary and heightened tensions over her controversial remarks claiming she had considered hiring someone to harm the President and his family if she were assassinated.
Malacañang has labeled Duterte’s statement as an “active threat,” intensifying the strain between the two leaders.
