MANILA (Updated) -- President Rodrigo Duterte has appointed Undersecretary Catalino Cuy as officer-in-charge of Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG).
In a statement issued Wednesday, Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella said Cuy's appointment is "effective immediately."
"The Palace announces the designation of Undersecretary for Peace and Order Catalino S. Cuy as officer-in-charge of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) effective immediately," Abella said.
Last Monday, Duterte fired Local Government Secretary Ismael Sueno, who was in charge of the local governments and the Philippine National Police (PNP), over reports of alleged corruption.
"Usec. Cuy will hold the position to ensure the continuous and effective delivery of services of the Department until the President appoints a new Secretary," he added.
Cuy vowed that he would lead the agency with "absolute fairness."
He said it was an honor for him to be given the opportunity to lead the DILG.
"I am taking the responsibilities given to me by President Duterte seriously, and I commit to overseeing the day-to-day operations of the DILG and its constituent agencies in the spirit of absolute fairness, unity, and dedication to public service," he said.
"Those are the things that we need in order to move forward in the President’s campaign against illegal drugs, corruption, and criminality," Cuy said.
He vowed that he would "not betray this sacred public trust."
Cuy was one of the DILG undersecretaries before he was named as OIC. He also served as former Davao City Police chief. (VoxPop Philippines/SDR)
