Department of Health (DOH) Usec. Maria Rosario Vergeire belied rumors that she refused the offer to become the next Health secretary.
Vergeire, who currently serves as officer-in-charge of DOH, clarified on Monday, January 30, that she also aspires the position.
"Meron lamang siyempre kaunting hesitancy pero nakikipag-usap naman tayo ngayon sa Office of the President," Vergeire said during DZRH's Dos Por Dos.
"Meron lang siyempre kaunting consideration dahil nga ako ay career executive. Siyempre may limitation dahil anim na taon lang ang pagiging secretary with the Administration. Meron pa akong matitirang number of years, supposedly to serve," she explained.
Vergeire stressed that she also waits for President Ferdinand Marcos to decide on his DOH chief.
President Marcos has yet to name a new Health secretary since his inauguration last June 30, 2022, and he previously said that he will wait for the 2019 Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) situation in the Philippines to normalize before announcing his pick.
On July 14, the Office of the Press Secretary announced that President Marcos has appointed Vergeire to take the helm of DOH as officer-in-charge.
