Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea will be officer-in-charge (OIC) while President Rodrigo Duterte is away for his fourth trip to Tokyo to attend the enthronement ceremony of Japanese Emperor Naruhito on October 22.

The President signed on Oct. 18 Special Order 1125, designating Medialdea as OIC to take care of the “day-to-day operations” at the Office of the President from October 21 to 23.

According to the order, Medialdea was assigned “to ensure continuity of government service” and “oversee the general administration of the Executive Department.”

If necessary, Medialdea should also act for and on behalf of the President, except on matters that the President is required by the Constitution to act in person, during the time that the President is in Japan.

The order also noted that all departments, agencies, and instrumentalities of the government were ordered to assist Medialdea in the discharge of his functions.

All Medialdea’s acts for an on behalf of the President under the order will be deemed acts of the President unless disapproved or reprobated by the President, it added.

Duterte is slated to leave for Tokyo on Monday night (Oct. 21) and will return to the Philippines on Oct. 24, Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said.

He is also scheduled to attend a banquet hosted by the Emperor on the same day of his enthronement and another banquet hosted by Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on October 23.

Panelo said Duterte will be accompanied by a “lean” delegation but did not give further details. (PNA)