Malacañang confirmed that President Bongbong Marcos has appointed journalist Edu Punay as Officer-In-Charge of the Department of Social Welfare and Development.
No word yet if DSWD chief Erwin Tulfo resigned from his post after being bypassed by the Commission on Appointments twice.
“The DSWD welcomes the designation of Usec. Edu Punay as OIC of the Department,” the DSWD said in a statement.
“This is needed to ensure the continuous operations of the agency and that no activities will be derailed or hampered, especially now that we need to provide assistance to those affected by the weather disturbance in the country,” the department added.
In November, a CA committee has decided to defer the appointment Tulfo due to some issues including citizenship and legal cases.
“May mga katanungan ang mga members ng CA. May report which was provided sa CA members so we want futher clarifications on some of the issues there,” CA Majority Leader Lray Villafuerte said in a chance interview.
“Meron pa kaming ita-tackle ngayon si Secretary Bonoan. So imbes na humaba yung deliberation, we decided to defer for the moment pending further requirements submissions ng mga tanong ng members ng commission,” the lawmaker added.
Caloocan Representative Oscar Malapitan asked Tulfo if he had renounced his Filipino citizenship when he joined the United States Army in 1988.
Tulfo then requested the lawmakers to answer his citizenship in an executive session.
Representative Rodante Marcoleta then followed up Malapitan’s questions.
“It’s about your being an enlisted personnel of the United States Army for several years and you have been in active military service stationed in Europe from 1992 to 1996,” Marcoleta said.
“Correct me if I’m wrong, but to me, an enlisted personnel in the US army, you are a citizen by birth. You are a US citizen, or you have acquired your citizenship by naturalization,” he added.
The lawmaker also brought up Tulfo’s past conviction with the Pasay Regional Trial Court.
In an ambush interview, Tulfo admitted that he was convicted of libel four times.
“In some other cases disposed of by the Supreme Court, there were certain people who were disqualified from holding positions because they have been convicted of crimes involving moral turpitude,” Marcoleta said.
Tulfo also admitted that he had renounced his citizenship in the past but he is now a Filipino.
“I brought the documents with me because I know that they will be asking me,” Tulfo said.
