(Eagle News) — Malacanang views with regret that Health Secretary Paulyn Ubial again failed to get the nod of the Commission on Appointments, saying the Department of Health chief “epitomized” President Rodrigo Duterte’s “malasakit” or concern for the public.
“We regret the Commission on Appointments’ non-confirmation of Department of Health Secretary Paulyn Jean Rosell-Ubial,” said Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella.
“We are deeply grateful for Secretary Ubial’s service to the Health Department and for epitomizing the President’s malasakit through her ‘All for Health, towards Health for All’ Philippine Health Agenda,” he said in a statement.
“We wish Secretary Ubial well in all her future endeavors,” Abella added.
The Commission on Appointments rejected on Tuesday, October 10, the ad interim appointment of Health Secretary Ubial who became teary-eyed after she was informed of the CA’s move.
“Talagang mababaw ang luha ko. Mahilig ako manood ng mga teledrama,” she told reporters.
The decision was made via secret voting through an executive session.
With the CA’s rejection of Ubial, she is now the fifth appointee of President Duterte who failed to get the nod of the powerful commission. The others are Perfecto Yasay as foreign secretary, Gina Lopez as environment secretary, Judy Taguiwalo as social welfare secretary, and Rafael Mariano as agrarian reform chief.
(Eagle News Service)
