PRESIDENT Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has extended the term of government officials and employees, under the Executive Branch, assigned as officers-in-charge.In Memorandum Circular No. 3 signed by Executive Secretary Vic Rodriguez and issued on July 27, 2022, it indicated the extension until December 31, 2022.This amends Malacañang’s Memorandum Circular No. 1 indicating the term of OICs until the end of July.”All OICs of departments , agencies, bureau and office, non-CES (Career Executive Service) officials occupying CES positions and contractual or casual employees covered herein shall continue to perform their duties and discharge their functions until 31 December 2022 or until a replacement has been appointed or designated, whichever comes first,” the memorandum reads.”All officials and employees covered by this Memorandum Circular are mandated to lawfully perform their duties and functions, and submit bi-monthly performance reports to their respective heads of the department, agency, bureau, office, or instrumentality; otherwise, they will be held accountable,” it added.Not covered by the order were government-owned or -controlled corporations (GOCCs), government instrumentalities with corporate powers, government corporate entities, and government financial institutions.The Malacañang reminded that OICs are prohibited from entering into new contracts or projects or disburse extraordinary funds while in office.The ban however excludes entering new contracts for food, transportation and energy sectors, or except when authorized by the President in meritorious cases.Among the OICs under the executive branch were Defense OIC Jose Faustino Jr. and Health OIC Maria Rosario Vergeire.(SunStar Philippines)