Chief of Staff: The Role and Duties of the Presidential Chief-of-Staff

CHIEF OF STAFF – Here are the role and the duties of the presidential chief-of-staff in the national government.

In the Philippine government, there are some positions that work closely with the president. One of these is the presidential chief-of-staff who is also usually one of the most visible on interviews.

Executive Secretary Vs. Chief-of-Staff – The Differences in their Functions

EXECUTIVE SECRETARY VS. CHIEF-OF-STAFF – Here are the differences between the functions of these two (2) roles that are working for the president.

Attorney Vic Rodriguez was the spokesperson of then presidential election candidate Bongbong Marcos. When Marcos Jr. won president and assumed office, he was appointed as the executive secretary.

However, in the last few weeks, his name has been on news headlines amid the hearings held over his alleged link to the sugar importation mess. Following his name being dragged in the issue, he resigned from being the secretary of Marcos Jr. He remains as the President’s chief-of-staff.

Presidential Chief-of-Staff Vic Rodriguez
Photo Credit: Manila Bulletin

Recently, former Supreme Court Chief Justice Lucas Bersamin sworn as the new executive secretary of Pres. Bongbong Marcos. He has also started his duties as he attended the 9th cabinet meeting after he sworn in to office.

Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin
Photo Credit: BusinessWorld

What are the differences between the functions of the executive secretary and the presidential chief-of-staff? Edwin Lacierda, the spokesperson during the term of the late former Pres. Noynoy Aquino, explained the powers and functions of the two (2) roles.

Based on a report on ABS-CBN News, Lacierda said that the ES is the called the “little president” because he has the decision-making powers even without the directive of the President. He can declare the suspension of classes during the typhoon.

Aside from his decision-making powers, the ES also got the recommendatory and supervisory powers. He or she co-manages the Office of the President (OVP) and the whole government with the Chief Executive. He can also sign by the authority of the president. However, usually, it is the ES that faces charges as cases cannot be filed against the president while he or she is in power.

Based on the report, the presidential chief-of-staff is on the day-to-day concerns of the president. While the ES is on a macro duty, the chief-of-staff is on micro works like the president’s travels and the papers. However, according to Lacierda, the duties of the chief-of-staff may be in conflict with the duties of the presidential management staff (PMS) who also takes care of the day-to-day concerns of the president.

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