Bersamin, Remulla, Estrella government caretakers

MANILA, Philippines — President Marcos has designated three Cabinet officials as caretakers of the government while he is in Vatican City to attend the funeral of Pope Francis.

In a text message, Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin said he, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla and Agrarian Reform Secretary Conrado Estrella III would serve as caretakers while the President is out of the country.

During Marcos’ earlier overseas trips, Vice President Sara Duterte, who resigned as education secretary and vice chair of the government’s anti-insurgency task force last June, was the caretaker or was among the country’s caretakers.

Duterte last held the role in May last year, when Marcos went to Singapore to attend the Shangri-La Dialogue. Bersamin and Estrella were also designated caretakers the time.

Marcos and First Lady Liza Marcos were scheduled to leave for Vatican City last night to attend the funeral of Pope Francis on Saturday. There were no departure ceremonies for the trip, the President’s 32nd overseas trip since assuming office three years ago.

Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, was elected pope on Feb. 28, 2013 following the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI.

The late Argentinian prelate was the first Latin American to lead the Catholic Church, which has 1.4 billion adherents worldwide, including more than 85 million in the Philippines.

The pope died of a stroke and irreversible cardiovascular arrest on April 21 at the age of 88.

“The passing of Pope Francis is a moment of profound sorrow for the Catholic Church and for the Filipino people, who recognize him as a global leader of compassion and a tireless advocate for peace, justice and human dignity,” Marcos said in his proclamation declaring the mourning period.

According to Marcos, Francis, whom Filipinos fondly call “Lolo Kiko,” holds a special place in the hearts of the Filipino people, particularly for his apostolic visit to the Philippines in January 2015, where he offered comfort and solidarity to victims of Typhoon Yolanda.