President Rodrigo Duterte's budget chief, Wendel Avisado, resigned from his post on Friday to become the second Cabinet member to leave government during the pandemic.
Avisado resigned "due to medical reasons," Duterte's spokesperson Harry Roque said. Usec. Tina Rose Marie Canda was named officer in charge of the budget department, he added.
In his resignation letter, Avisado cited the need to focus on his health after a bout with COVID-19. His resignation comes just days before the executive branch submits its proposed 2022 national budget to Congress.
At the onset of the pandemic last year, Ernesto Pernia resignated as socioeconomic planning secretary, citing policy differences with his colleagues in the cabinet.
Avisado took over leadership of the Department of Budget and Management in 2019 after its former head Benjamin Diokno became governor of the Bangko Sentral.