Marcos Cabinet shakeup: Who's in, who's out
Following his call for all Cabinet secretaries to tender their courtesy resignations, President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. has selectively accepted these, opting to retain certain members of his administration.
In a press conference on May 23, Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin said he's keeping his position after Marcos rejected his courtesy resignation letter.
"[The president] communicated to me that I have his full backing as long as I wish to work for him," Bersamin said, adding that it's a "very good gesture."
He dismissed supposed claims that the call for everybody's resignation was a means to target him.
The secretary said five members of Marcos's economic team are also keeping their positions. They include the following:
- Ma. Cristine Roque (Department of Trade and Industry)
- Ralph Recto (Department of Finance)
- Arsenio Balisacan (Department of Economy, Planning, and Development)
- Amenah Pangandaman (Department of Budget and Management)
- Frederick Go (Office of the Special Assistant to the President for Investment and Economic Affairs)
According to him, Marcos is still reviewing 52 resignation letters, with the economic team now his top priority. An announcement regarding the resignations is expected after May 28.
During the open forum, Bersamin said Marcos' marching orders to those who'd keep their positions, especially the economic team, were to "enhance the economic situation in the eyes of the outside world."
He also noted that the evaluation of who to keep and fire is "one at a time."
"Hindi mo pwede ilump sum 'yung mga Cabinet secretaries because they have different areas of responsibility," he said. "'Yung pagrereview, you have to be careful, hindi pwedeng arbitrary."
Bersamin also noted that the Cabinet restructuring isn't a "purge" but "cleansing."
Who's in, who's out
As for secretaries whose resignation letters have been accepted by Marcos, Bersamin said the president has already chosen their replacements.
At the Department of Foreign Affairs, undersecretary Tess Lazaro is taking over Enrique Manalo as the top diplomat.
Manalo, meanwhile, is taking over Antonio Lagdameo as Permanent Representative of the Philippines to the United Nations. Lagdameo is retiring on July 31.
Bersamin later clarified that this means Manalo's courtesy resignation was declined.
At the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Maria Yulo Loyzaga will be replaced by Department of Energy Sec. Raphael Lotilla. Bersamin said an evaluation of Loyzaga found that she's usually overseas. He, however, noted that Loyzaga isn't involved in any corruption, even as he couldn't firmly say that she "underperformed."
DOE Usec. Sharon Garin, in turn, will serve as the DOE officer-in-charge.
At the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development, undersecretary Jose Aliling is taking over Jose Acuzar's role as secretary after the latter's "under delivery" despite supposedly setting "too high standards" and making several promises upon assuming the role.
Acuzar, meanwhile, will serve as secretary of the Pasig River Rehabilitation Commission.
Engr. Jose Ramon Aliling has been sworn in as the new Secretary of the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development, replacing Jose Rizalino Acuzar, who is now the Presidential Adviser for Pasig River Development.
Atty. Darlene Marie Berberabe, Dean of the University of the Philippines College of Law and former CEO of the Pag-IBIG Fund, also took her oath as the new Solicitor General, succeeding Atty. Menardo Guevarra.
On June 3, Bersamin announced that Marcos has accepted the resignations of Chairperson and CEO of the Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor Maynardo Sabili, Presidential Assistant for the Visayas Terrence Calatrava, and Presidential Assistant on Muslim Affairs Almarin Tillah.
Presidential Adviser for Special Concerns Menandro Espineli, Presidential Legislative Liaison Office Pres. Mark Llandro Mendoza, Presidential Adviser on Military and Police Affairs, Secretary Roman Felix, and Philippine National Oil Company Renewables Corporation Pres. and CEO John Arenas have been removed from their posts.
Atty. Francis Edralin Lim will serve as the new chairperson of the Securities Exchange Commission, taking over from incumbent chairman Emilio Aquino.
Veteran journalist Jay Ruiz has been reappointed as acting secretary of the Presidential Communications Office. This comes after the Commission on Appointments deferred its deliberation on his permanent position as PCO chief.
Henry Rhoel Aguda has been reappointed as Information and Communications Technology Secretary. He initially assumed leadership of the DICT in March, succeeding Ivan Uy, who resigned in February.
Meanwhile, Marcos also rejected the courtesy resignations of Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin "Boying" Remulla, Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla, and Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro Jr.
The president will also retain Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr., Agrarian Reform Secretary Conrado Estrella Jr., Education Secretary Sonny Angara, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority Secretary Jose Benitez, Secretary of Social Welfare and Development Rex Gatchalian, Health Secretary Ted Herbosa, Secretary of Migrant Workers Hans Cacdac, Secretary of Science and Technology Renato Solidum Jr., Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco, Secretary of Information and Communications Technology Henry Aguda, Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon, and Secretary of Public Works and Highways Manuel Bonoan.
Additionally, keeping their posts are Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Juan Ponce Enrile, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority Chairman Romando Artes, Mindanao Development Authority Chairman Leo Tereso Magno, Bureau of Internal Revenue Commissioner Romeo Lumagui Jr., Bureau of Customs Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio, Treasurer Sharon Almanza, Government Service Insurance System Pres. and GM Jose Arnulfo “Wick” Veloso, Land Bank of the Philippines Pres. and CEO Lynette V. Ortiz, Development Bank of the Philippines President and CEO Michael O. de Jesus, National Irrigation Administration Administrator Eduardo Eddie Guillen, Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office General Manager Mel Robles, and PhilHealth Pres. and CEO Emmanuel Mercado.
Torre as new PNP chief
The Palace announced Thursday, May 29, that Marcos has chosen Police Major General Nicolas Torre III to be the next head of the Philippine National Police. He will be replacing Police General Rommel Francisco Marbil, who will retire in the first week of June.
As chief of Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, Torre has handled major cases, including the arrests of Apollo Quiboloy and former President Rodrigo Duterte.
Torre's career includes leading police in Quezon City, the Davao region, Western Samar, and in Batangas City and Mabalacat.
First Supreme Court appointee
Bersamin said on June 3 that Marcos is deliberating on his first Supreme Court appointee. There's no announcement yet about the president's choice.
The appointee will replace Associate Justice Mario Lopez, who turns 70—the mandatory retirement age for members of the judiciary—on June 4.
Recalibration
The Presidential Communications Office, through the Philippine Information Agency, said Marcos' call aims to "recalibrate his administration following the results of the recent elections."
"It’s time to realign government with the people’s expectations," he said.
According to the office, the move is "aimed at giving the President the elbow room to evaluate the performance of each department and determine who will continue to serve in line with his administration’s recalibrated priorities."
"This is not business as usual," Marcos said. "The people have spoken, and they expect results—not politics, not excuses. We hear them, and we will act."
The chief executive said those "who have delivered and continue to deliver will be recognized."
"But we cannot afford to be complacent. The time for comfort zones is over," he added.
The PCO said the call for a courtesy resignation "marks a clear transition from the early phase of governance to a more focused and performance-driven approach."
"The President emphasized that while many have served with dedication and professionalism," it said, "the evolving needs of the country require a renewed alignment, faster execution, and a results-first mindset."
The PCO assured the public that government services "will remain uninterrupted during this transition."
"[T]he President reiterated that stability, continuity, and meritocracy will guide the formation of his leadership team moving forward," it added. "With this bold reset, the Marcos administration signals a new phase—sharper, faster, and fully focused on the people’s most pressing needs."
In his May 19 podcast about the midterm elections, Marcos intimated the possibility of a restructuring in the Cabinet, noting a performance review was ongoing.
"Baka mangyari ‘yan," he said of the would-be dismissals. "Dito nga sa ginagawa naming performance review. Iyon ang warning ko sa kanila."
“Kung talagang may nagkukulang o corrupt, kung talagang masyadong mabigat yung kanilang kasalanan, kasuhan na namin," he added, without specifying anything.
