By Darryl John Esguerra
MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. retained a significant number of Cabinet officials following his administration’s ongoing recalibration process.
Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin announced the third phase of the “bold reset” in the administration’s ongoing performance evaluation in a press briefing in Malacañang Tuesday.
Among those whose resignations were declined and will remain in their posts are:
- Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr.
- Agrarian Reform Secretary Conrado Estrella III
- Education Secretary Juan Edgardo Angara
- TESDA Director-General Jose Francisco Benitez
- Labor Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma
- Social Welfare Secretary Rex Gatchalian
- Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa
- Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac
- Science and Technology Secretary Renato Solidum Jr.
- Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco
- Information and Communications Technology Secretary Henry Aguda
- Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon
- Public Works Secretary Manuel Bonoan
- Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Juan Ponce Enrile
- Presidential Management Staff Secretary Elaine Masukat
- MMDA Chairman Romando Artes
- Mindanao Development Authority Chairman Leo Tereso Magno
- Presidential Adviser for Mindanao Concerns Secretary Antonio Cerilles
- BIR Commissioner Romeo Lumagui Jr.
- Customs Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio
- National Treasurer Sharon Almanza
Bersamin emphasized that the performance evaluation process is still ongoing, including for officials below Cabinet rank.
“If you are asking for blood, there will still be blood,” Bersamin said.
“We are still undertaking continuing performance evaluations… I assure you that this is a very sweeping and thorough evaluation being made by the President and the panel of his choice.”
Meanwhile, Bersamin also announced that the President has accepted the courtesy resignations of Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor Chairperson and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Maynardo Sabili; Presidential Assistant for the Visayas Terrence Calatrava; and Presidential Assistant on Muslim Affairs Almarim Tillah.
New SEC chief
The Palace official also announced the appointment of Francis Lim as the incoming chairperson of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). He will replace Emilio Aquino, whose term ends on June 5, 2025.
Lim previously served as President and CEO of the Philippine Stock Exchange and is a senior partner at ACCRALAW.
Likewise, Bersamin clarified that Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo will remain in his post until his confirmation as the country’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, a designation effective Aug. 1 pending the Commission on Appointments’ approval.
“Secretary Manalo’s courtesy resignation was declined. He continues to be the Secretary of Foreign Affairs,” Bersamin said.
Veteran diplomat Ma. Theresa Lazaro has been designated to replace Manalo, effective July 31.
Marcos earlier asked all his Cabinet secretaries to submit their courtesy resignations following the 2025 midterm elections to recalibrate his administration’s priorities and services.
Marcos has so far retained Bersamin and his economic team — Trade Secretary Maria Cristina Roque, Finance Secretary Ralph Recto, Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman, Economic Secretary Arsenio Balisacan, and Special Assistant to the President for Investments and Economic Affairs Frederick Go.
Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla, his brother Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla and Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro Jr. have also been retained.
Meanwhile, Secretary Raphael Lotilla has been transferred to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources from the DOE, after Marcos accepted the courtesy resignation of Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga.
Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development Secretary Jose Rizalino Acuzar was also named as Presidential Adviser for Pasig River Development, with a rank of Secretary. He was replaced by engineer Ramon Aliling, a former Housing undersecretary who previously led the Pambansang Pabahay Para sa Pilipino program and Pasig Bigyan Muli Buhay Project.
Last week, Menardo Guevarra and Popoy De Vera were replaced as Solicitor General and Commission on Higher Education Chairperson, respectively. (PNA)
