Bersamin, Remulla govt caretakers

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. named Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla and Agrarian Reform Secretary Conrado Estrella III as the government's caretakers while he is in Laos to attend the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Summit. "It is an Executive Committee chaired by ES, with Secretaries of Justice and Agrarian Reform as members," Presidential Communications Secretary Cesar Chavez told reporters in a text message. The President usually designated Vice President Sara Duterte as the government's caretaker when he was away. The relationship between the President and vice president soured after the former had a word war with the latter's father, former president Rodrigo Duterte. Since she parted ways with Marcos, the vice president has become critical of his governance amid the country's problems with poverty, flood control and health care, among others. In a media interview last month, Marcos admitted that he has not spoken to Duterte since she quit the Cabinet back in June.