Press Secretary Charles P. Reyes Jr. yesterday said Public Health Secretary Joseph Kevin Villagomez is on sick leave, but his exact medical condition is unknown.
Department of Community and Cultural Affairs Secretary Cecilia Celes and Department of Labor Secretary Gil San Nicolas have also been on leave for quite some time now.
Reyes said the two are on “personal leave,” but he cannot tell why and for how long.
He noted, however, that Gov. Benigno R. Fitial signed a directive years ago, stating that high-level government employees, like cabinet members, can no longer accumulate annual leaves.
This is part of the administration’s austerity measures to cut government costs, Reyes added.
Pete Untalan is the acting Public Health secretary, while Melvin Faisao and Cinta M. Kaipat are the acting chiefs of DCCA and Labor.
