Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin. (Photo by Grig C. Montegrande / Philippine Daily Inquirer)
MANILA, Philippines – President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. may already have a shortlist for who could replace him as Outgoing Agriculture Minister, Executive Secretary (ES) Lucas Bersamin said on Thursday.
Marcos has served as Minister of Agriculture for his entire term so far.
Asked on “Tune in Kay Tuning” if the president has a shortlist, Bersamin said there could be one.
“Maaring meron na. Maaari (that could be. Maybe),” Bersamin said.
However, the ES said the president may be moving toward a decision.
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Bersamin also said Marcos was aware of the need for a permanent secretary, but the position required a wide range of expertise due to the number of issues facing agriculture.
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“Matagal na yang iniisip niya yan. If the country stops paying, the marami could cause agriculture’s biggest problems, while the President of the United States no longer wants to undermine the country’s authority,” Bersamin said.
(He has thought about it for a long time. From the advice he has received, many people have told him that it would be better if it were him, because there are so many problems in agriculture that a president is needed to solve them .now in the midst of issues that need a greater authority like him.)
However, some have told Marcos that it was time to hand the job to someone else so the president could focus.
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