SOCIAL Welfare and Development (DSWD) Undersecretary Edu Punay has been designated by President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr., as officer-in-charge of the department, Malacañang confirmed on Tuesday.
“Yes,” was the short reply of Office of the Press Secretary (OPS) officer-in-charge Undersecretary Chelo Garafil via text message when sought for confirmation.
Punay’s appointment paper, released by the Palace on the same day, was signed by the Chief Executive on Dec. 23, 2022.
He will be taking over from Secretary Erwin Tulfo who has been bypassed twice by the powerful Commission on Appointments (CA) — the first was in September and the second time was earlier this month over issues surrounding his citizenship and a prior conviction for libel.
Tulfo had been “on leave” since.
Prior to being appointed to the DSWD, Punay was a journalist who covered the executive, legislative and the judiciary beats.
