De Guzman back as climate body chief

MANILA, Philippines - The Duterte administration has quietly reorganized the leadership of the Climate Change Commission (CCC), reinstating Emmanuel de Guzman as secretary of the agency in charge of climate change policy in the country.

Since July, De Guzman has been identified by the CCC website and its press releases as the secretary and vice chairperson of the climate body, which is chaired by President Duterte.

He reclaimed the post from commissioner Vernice Victorio, who served as secretary from January to June this year. It was during her time that the Philippines finally ratified the 2015 Paris climate agreement.

Victorio will continue to serve as CCC commissioner.

De Guzman and Victorio, as well as commissioner Noel Gaerlan, were appointed by former president Benigno Aquino III in 2015. They are serving a fixed term as mandated by the law that created the CCC.

Under the law, one of the three commissioners will serve as vice-chair with the rank of secretary. The other two will have ranks similar to that of an undersecretary.

No explanation was released as to why the leadership at the CCC was reorganized.

De Guzman declined to comment when asked about the reorganization, saying they are still completing the transition process.

Before joining the climate body, De Guzman was senior advisor on disaster risk reduction of the World Meteorological Organization.

He was also a consultant for the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction on its efforts to mainstream disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation with gender considerations in national policies and plans.

De Guzman led the Philippine delegation during the climate negotiations in Paris in 2015.