Malacañang announced Wednesday that President Rodrigo Roa Duterte has made three new appointments.

Duterte named Partido Demokratikong Pilipino (PDP-Laban) Secretary General Atty. Melvin Matibag as the new Cabinet Secretary.

Matibag confirmed his appointment by sharing a copy of his appointment paper to reporters.

He said he was appointed on Tuesday and took his oath on Wednesday.

Matibag replaced Karlo Nograles who was appointed as chairperson of the Civil Service Commission (CSC).

Duterte also named former Palace Undersecretary Anderson Lo as Deputy Ombudsman for Mindanao.

Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea confirmed Lo’s appointment in a text message to reporters.

Acting presidential spokesperson Martin Andanar also announced Lo’s appointment in a statement.

“We wish Deputy Ombudsman Lo success as we assure him of the Executive’s support in the Office of the Ombudsman’s drive towards good governance in the public sector,” Andanar said.

With his new post, Lo will be in charge of graft and corruption cases involving Mindanao public officials.

Andanar also announced that former presidential adviser on overseas Filipino worker (OFW) concerns Abdullah Derupong Mama-o was named Secretary of the Department of Migrant Workers.

He said Mama-o’s experience and qualifications in labor and diplomatic negotiations, among others will be “invaluable” to his new position and to Filipino migrant workers.

“We wish Secretary Mama-o success in the Department of Migrant Workers,” he said.

Andanar said the Duterte administration has prioritized the safety, security, and welfare of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).

He also confirmed the appointment of Gerald Quitaleg Bantag as director-general of the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) of the Department of Justice.

Prior to his appointment, Bantag was only on secondment from the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) to the BuCor.

“He was previously designated as Director General, but he kept his item/position with the BJMP. Now Mr. Bantag has been appointed directly as the Director-General of BuCor, with a tour of duty not exceeding 6 years,” Andanar said.

Duterte also promoted Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Commandant Artemio Abu to the highest rank of a commissioned officer.

Abu was promoted from vice admiral to admiral on March 7, a week after he was appointed as the 29th PCG commandant.

Prior to his designation, Abu was the commander of the Maritime Safety Services Command and the task force commander of the PCG Task Force Kaligtasan sa Karagatan. (PNA)

(Photo credits to: Philippine Star)