THE Morobe Provincial Executive Council (PEC) has recommended Ms. Emma Philemon (pictured) as Acting Provincial Administrator following a democratic secret ballot conducted during its meeting on November 3, 2026.
Ms. Philemon, who serves as Principal Legal Officer with the Morobe Provincial Administration, secured the highest number of votes among three candidates endorsed by the Public Services Commission (PSC) for the acting appointment.
The other candidates were Deputy Provincial Administrator for Governance and Corporate Services, Mr. Miring Singilong, and Deputy Provincial Administrator for Social Services, Mr. Robin Bazzanuc.
According to a statement issued by the Morobe Provincial Governor, the PSC, in correspondence dated October 29, confirmed that all three candidates were equally qualified and eligible for the three-month acting appointment, pending the recruitment of a permanent Provincial Administrator.
Governor and PEC Chairman said the Council agreed to conduct a secret ballot to ensure fairness and allow members to exercise their voting rights independently without pressure or influence.
He said the votes were counted openly after the secret ballot, with Ms. Philemon emerging with the highest number of votes.
The Governor maintained that the recommendation was a collective decision of PEC members reached through a democratic process, rather than an individual preference.
He also dismissed media questions surrounding a gathering involving some PEC members in Port Moresby before the PEC meeting, clarifying that the gathering was a fundraising dinner hosted by National Unity Party Leader and Member for Yangoru-Saussia, Richard Maru.
He said he attended the event as Leader of Our Pati after receiving an invitation from Mr. Maru, with the party purchasing a table to support the fundraising occasion.
The Governor stressed that the gathering was not a PEC meeting and had nothing to do with discussions or negotiations over the acting Provincial Administrator’s appointment.
He said the three PSC-endorsed candidates were formally presented to PEC members for consideration only during the properly convened meeting on November 3.
Congratulating Ms. Philemon, the Governor also acknowledged Mr. Singilong and Mr. Bazzanuc for their qualifications, experience and contributions to the province.
He urged PEC members, public servants and district administrations to support Ms. Philemon during the three-month transition period.
Meanwhile, the Morobe Provincial Government will work with the Department of Personnel Management and relevant national authorities to expedite the recruitment and appointment of a permanent Provincial Administrator.
The Governor said the permanent appointment would follow established public service procedures, ensuring transparency, merit and equal opportunity for suitably qualified Papua New Guineans.
He called on Morobe leaders and stakeholders to put aside political differences and focus on improving service delivery and implementing the province’s development priorities under the Move Morobe Up agenda.
He said the priority must remain the people of Morobe and the effective delivery of essential government services across the province.