HEALTH Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire, who has been serving as officer-in-charge of the Department of Health (DOH) under the Marcos administration since July, yesterday said the post of health secretary was never offered to her.
“Honestly, it was not offered. I was asked to be an OIC,” she said in a TV interview.
“He (President Marcos Jr.) just said to just continue to do the work and we will discuss further,” she also said.
Vergeire said if she is offered the post, she will have reservations.
“I am a career official. Therefore, if we will be given a term (as secretary). It is just for six years. And by the time I finish the six years, I still have years left to serve. And I want to still serve, of course, until I retire,” she explained.
Vergeire said though she is not closing the doors to the post.
“I am here for service. Any other factors, we set it aside if we really want to serve. So, we will see in the coming months or days what will be the decision of the President,” said Vergeire.
As to the appointment of former Philippine National Police chief Camilo Cascolan as health undersecretary, Vergeire said talks on what his “assignment” will be are ongoing.
“We are now looking at which areas, like operations or administration or finance, where his credentials can be of use to the Department,” she said.
Cascolan’s appointment has been met with mixed reactions, with some sectors questioning his qualification for the post.
Vergeire said she believes Cascolan’s experience at the PNP can be of use to the DOH.
“Looking at his credentials, he has done a lot of operations during his time as part of the PNP,” she said.
Marcos on Wednesday defended Cascolan’s appointment, saying the retired police general does not need to be a physician or have a medical background to conduct an “administrative audit” of the DOH or review the department’s functions.
He said Cascolan’s main work will involve “special concerns.”
