Role and Authority of the Vice-President
- Exercises general supervision over executive department affairs, excluding administrative functions.
- Presides over Cabinet meetings in the President's absence.
- Represents the President in social functions, official ceremonies, and when receiving foreign dignitaries.
- Entitled to honors and courtesies accorded to the President on such occasions.
- May meet visitors in the President’s Study Room if desired.
Role and Authority of the Executive Secretary
- Supervises administrative functions across executive departments.
- Signs documents that require the President’s authority and decides routine matters.
- Acts as the communication channel for approvals and consultations between the President and department Secretaries.
Role and Authority of Department Secretaries
- Attend to and decide matters within their jurisdiction.
- Must obtain urgent approvals from the President via the Executive Secretary when necessary.
- May consult the President on significant issues affecting government policies through the Executive Secretary.
- Undersecretaries act on behalf of absent Secretaries when designated.
Restrictions on Important Matters
- Decisions on new policies, economic development guidelines, investments, loans, disposal of valuable government properties, etc., should be deferred until the President’s return unless the matter is urgent.
- Urgent matters require prior clearance from the President.
Official Communications Protocol
- All official communications to the President, whether by letter or radio, must be relayed through the Executive Secretary.
Formalization and Implementation
- These instructions were formalized and signed by the President and Executive Secretary on January 8, 1968, for effective governance during the President’s official foreign visit.