Memorandum Order No. 162, issued on March 4, 2005, redefines the role of the Cabinet Officer for Provincial Events (COPE), renaming it the Cabinet Officer for Presidential Engagements. The primary responsibility of this position is now to oversee the President's calendar of engagements and appointments, functioning as the Appointments Secretary. The COPE will maintain coordinative oversight over previously supervised offices, while Assistant Secretary Malou Frostrom will lead the Office of Regional Concerns for presidential engagements in provinces. The Social Secretary is tasked with managing guest lists and invitations for events at Malacañang Palace or those hosted by the President elsewhere. All engagements must comply with security directives from the Presidential Security Group.
March 4, 2005
MEMORANDUM ORDER NO. 162
REVISING THE FUNCTIONS AND TITLE OF THE CABINET OFFICER FOR PROVINCIAL EVENTS
1. The Cabinet Officer for Provincial Events (COPE) shall now be known as the Cabinet Officer for Presidential Engagements. As such, his primary area of supervisory jurisdiction shall be the calendar of engagements and appointments of the President of the Philippines. His primary function shall be that of Appointments Secretary.
2. The COPE shall, however, continue to exercise coordinative oversight over the offices previously identified to be under the supervision of the COPE.
3. Assistant Secretary Malou Frostrom is hereby designated as head of the Office of Regional Concerns. As such, she shall head the advance party for presidential engagements especially in provincial visits.
4. For social engagements to be held in Malacañang Palace, or social engagements outside Malacañang Palace but hosted by the President, the Social Secretary shall be in charge of making the guest list and issuing invitations, whether by phone call or by written or printed invitation.
5. In all Presidential engagements, especially outside Malacañang Palace, the COPE and the advance party shall heed the decisions of the Commanding General of the Presidential Security Group regarding security considerations.
This Memorandum Order shall take effect immediately.
Issued on March 4, 2005.