Department of Health (DOH) officer-in-charge Maria Rosario Vergeire revealed that President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos did not ask her to be the next Health secretary.
“Honestly, it was not offered. I was asked to be an OIC. I was able to explain to them also my reservations and he just said, ‘You just continue to do the work and we will discuss further,’” Vergeire said via an ANC interview.
Vergeire added that she wanted to still serve the public even after the administration’s six-year term or until she retires.
“Kapag may term po kasi tayo, it’s only six years and by the time I finish the six years, I still have years left to serve. I want to still serve until I retire,” she said.
Meanwhile, Vergeire defended the assignment of former Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Camilo Cascolan as their new undersecretary, noting that he is “very qualified” based on his credentials.
“Ang sa atin na lang po, paano ba mas makakatulong ang mga taong naa-appoint at pinapasok sa kagawaran natin. So let’s see. Hindi pa natin nakikita, hindi pa natin nasusubukan. Makikita ho natin ‘yan,” she said.
“I think he is very qualified naman doon sa kanyang mga credentials na nakalagay diyan. Meron naman tayong mga trabaho dito na kailangan din natin talaga ng for operations,” she added.
— Ronald Espartinez