Several senators praised Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire’s meeting as the officer-in-charge of the Department of Health (DOH) on Thursday, with just one simply stating she is even certified to become the next health secretary.

“I am ecstatic on the appointment of Usec. Vergeire as OIC [Secretary] of the DOH as she brings with her all her experience fighting this COVID-19 and managing this pandemic,” Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri, the next Senate president-elect, said in a Viber statement to reporters.

The legislator praised Vergeire for becoming the face of the Health Department and for carrying out her duties without “fanfare or politicking.”

“She has my 100% support,” she introduced.

Senator Bong Go, who is assumed to hold his chairmanship of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, praised Vergeire’s talent and commitment to serving the country.

“We have seen her dedication and passion to serve, particularly during the Duterte administration, tirelessly working also at the forefront of our COVID-19 efforts,” she added 

“I am confident that she will be able to steer the health department to the best of her abilities,” he said, adding that “Given her experience, we expect that our COVID-19 response efforts will continue to be strengthened especially when it comes to vaccination.”

Go, for his portion, pledged that the Senate health committee will collaborate closely with the executive branch, going to support its plans and programs for the improvement of the health sector and also the country’s retrieval from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Sen. Grace Poe praised Vergeire as “very calm, seems knowledgeable, rational [fair] and impartial.”

According to Poe, the health official has been “straightforward” in disseminating information, and her professionalism as the DOH’s spokesperson has did earn her honor between many her colleagues and the general public.

“She did not [engage] in fanfare. She may be a good candidate to consider for the DOH secretary position, eventually,” she stated 

Senator Sonny Angara made the exact analysis about Vergeire’s professionalism in performing her duties, trying to express hope that the health official will be doing well because the DOH OIC has played a critical role in the country’s present situation.

“She acquitted herself well during the pandemic with her calm and professional [demeanor]. Hopefully, she can lead the department well,” Angara said.

“Very crucial ang kanyang departamento sa buhay ng mga kababayan natin. Sana walang magiging mga isyu sa paggastos ng pondo ng departamento lalo na sa mga malalaking kontrata at [alegasyon] ng katiwalian,” she stated.

(Her department is very important in our countrymen’s lives, and I hope that there will be no problems with the disbursement of funds in her department, especially if it involves large contracts and allegations of corruption.)

On Thursday afternoon, Trixie Cruz-Angeles, the Press Secretary, confirmed that Marcos had appointed Vergeire as the OIC of the Health Department.

Vergeire is anticipated to supervise and control the country’s overall medical status, in addition to the threats posed by the recent rise in COVID-19 and dengue cases.