Term of Arroyo's non-career workers extended

PRESIDENT Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III extended the tenure of Non-Career Executive Service Officers (Non-Ceso) of the previous administration for another three months.

Under Memorandum Circular 2, signed by Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa, Non-Ceso personnel were allowed to continue to perform their duties until their resignations are accepted or until their respective replacements have been appointed.

Updates on President Benigno Aquino III's presidency

Presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said Aquino allowed the extension of services of Non-Ceso employees particularly those occupying Career Executive Service (CES) until October 31, 2010.

In cases where the head of agency has resigned last June 30 and has no replacement yet, the next-in-rank and the most senior official of the department shall be designated by the agencies’ secretary as office-in-charge.

The OIC will continue office operation until a replacement has been made. The extension covered casual and contractual employees of the government.

This is the second time the term of Non-Ceso employees were extended by Aquino.

The President was forced to prolong their service since a lot of Non-Ceso positions are not filled yet.

Arroyo to attend Monday's session

Meanwhile, Representative Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo (second district, Pampanga) will be attending the fourth session of the Congress this Monday.

Arroyo's spokesperson Elena Bautista-Horn confirmed to Sun.Star that the former President is ready to work on Monday but will likely go back to Hong Kong soon.

Arroyo missed the first State of the Nation Address (Sona) of President Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III and the election of Speaker during the House of Representatives' first session.

She accompanied her husband, Juan Miguel “Mike” Arroyo, to Hong Kong for a medical treatment.

Beside Arroyo, among those who missed the July 26 opening session were Representatives Ronald Singson (first district, Ilocos Sur) and Julio Ledesma IV (first district, Negros Occidental).

The former First Couple arrived at the country last Wednesday but to still return to Hong Kong for the former First Gentleman's continuing medical treatment.

During their short stay in Hong Kong, some militant groups held a rally in protest the Arroyos. (Jill Beltran/Kathrina Alvarez/Sunnex)