Budget Secretary Wendel Avisado has resigned from his post due to medical reasons.
The resignation has been accepted by President Rodrigo Duterte, Malacañang said.
Duterte designated Budget Undersecretary Tina Rose Marie Canda as the officer-in-charge (OIC) of the Department of Budget and Management, according to presidential spokesman Harry Roque.
In the Senate, Minority Leader Franklin Drilon said Avisado’s sudden resignation made the current situation, including the 2022 national budget, more worrisome.
Drilon said he would suggest to Senate President Vicente Sotto III that the Senate go on marathon hearings and sessions.
In the House, Speaker Lord Allan Velasco assured the public Avisado’s resignation would not affect the upcoming budget deliberations of the 2022 national expenditures in Congress.
At the same time, Velasco expressed belief that Avisado’s replacement, Canda, “will carry on the task and continue its work on the 2022 National Expenditure Program.”
The House is expected to receive from Malacañang the 2022 proposed budget next week.
Avisado earlier went on medical leave from August 2 to 13 after he was afflicted with COVID-19 and had to undergo examinations.
According to Malacanang, Avisado was hospitalized for eight days and went through quarantine for more than a month.
Malacanang said Avisado’s resignation was very unfortunate because the government was scrambling to find the money to fund the cash aid to be distributed to affected individuals under the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in Metro Manila and other key areas amid the surge in coronavirus cases.