MANILA -- President Rodrigo R. Duterte has fired three undersecretaries of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), a Palace official confirmed on Monday.
Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea confirmed that Duterte has sacked DSWD Undersecretary for Protective Operations and Programs Group Mae Ancheta-Templa, Undersecretary for Disaster Response Management Group Hope Hervilla, and Undersecretary for Promotive Operations and Programs Group Maria Lourdes Turalde-Jarabe who were appointed in 2016.
“Yes. We expect the new Secretary to bring his own team to provide better services to the public,” Medialdea told reporters in a message.
The DSWD is currently headed by former Philippine Army chief Rolando “Rolly” Bautista.
Bautista, who was appointed in October, replaced Virginia Orogo who served as Acting Secretary in April.
Medialdea also denied that their termination has anything to do with their being left-leaning.
Ancheta-Templa was a member of the Forum of Women for Action with Rody Duterte, Hervilla was Bayan Muna Regional Chairman and party list nominee, and Turalde-Jarabe was formerly Gabriela Women's Party Secretary General and nominees.
“No,” Medialdea said, explaining that it was to form a “good team”. (PNA)
