As President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. travels to the United Arab Emirates, three Cabinet officials have been designated to jointly oversee the day-to-day operations of the Philippine government.
Malacañang confirmed that Executive Secretary Ralph Recto, Department of Social Welfare and Development Secretary Rex Gatchalian, and Department of Agrarian Reform Secretary Conrado Estrella III will act as caretakers while the President is abroad.
The designation was announced during a Palace briefing by Press Officer Claire Castro, who said the President is scheduled to depart at 6 p.m. for Abu Dhabi.
During the trip, Marcos is set to attend Sustainability Week following an invitation from Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the UAE’s head of state.
In previous overseas engagements, Malacañang had typically named the Executive Secretary as caretaker alongside Estrella and the education secretary.
This marks the first time Gatchalian has been included in the group assigned to temporarily manage government affairs during a presidential foreign visit.
