PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte is expected to appoint an acting secretary for the Department of Foreign Affairs this Thursday, his spokesperson said.

Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella, in a statement sent to reporters Wednesday afternoon, said the Office of Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea will announce the appointment on Thursday morning.

"The Office of the Executive Secretary will communicate with the Department of Foreign Affairs by 8 a.m. tomorrow, 09 March 2017. Announcement will be forthwith," Abella said.

Earlier in the day, the Commission on Appointments rejected the confirmation of Foreign Affairs Secretary Perfecto Yasay Jr. after lying about his former United States citizenship.

Yasay maintained that he is not an American citizen but the CA already instructed him to immediately leave his office. (SunStar Philippines)