DND OIC back to work after quarantine

MANILA, Philippines — After seven days of self-isolation due to COVID-19, Defense Undersecretary Jose Faustino Jr. reported to work yesterday as officer-in-charge (OIC) of the Department of National Defense (DND).

Armed Forces of the Philippines chief Gen. Andres Centino and other top military officials feted Faustino with the traditional arrival honors at Camp Aguinaldo.

Faustino formally took over the helm of the DND on July 1.

He has been performing his duties while on quarantine as he tested positive for COVID-19 last week.

The DND said Faustino is fully vaccinated and has received his booster shot.

Faustino, who replaced former defense chief Delfin Lorenzana, vowed to continue modernizing the military under the Marcos administration.

Faustino will have to wait until November before he can assume the DND post because of the one-year appointment ban on retired military officials.