President Marcos Retains 21 Cabinet Secretaries
President Marcos has decided to keep 21 Cabinet secretaries, including Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Juan Ponce Enrile, amidst his massive Cabinet reorganization. This decision confirms that most Cabinet officials will continue serving in their current roles, as announced by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin on June 3.
The key move comes after President Marcos asked all Cabinet members to resign, sparking widespread speculation about who would be retained or replaced. However, the President declined the resignations of several top officials, signaling trust in their performance.
Officials Whose Resignations Were Declined
Among those retained are Department of Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr., Education Secretary Juan Edgardo Angara, Labor Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma, Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa, and Science and Technology Secretary Renato Solidum Jr. Other notable officials include Transportation Secretary Vivencio Dizon II, Public Works Secretary Manuel Bonoan, and Metropolitan Manila Development Authority Chairman Romando Artes.
President Marcos also kept Bureau of Internal Revenue Commissioner Romeo Lumagui Jr., Bureau of Customs Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio, and National Treasurer Sharon Almanza. The list reflects a broad mix of key economic, social, and administrative leaders.
Sweeping Evaluation Underway Despite Few Changes
Executive Secretary Bersamin emphasized that although the recent Cabinet shakeup was not as extensive as expected, the President is executing a “sweeping and thorough” performance review. “Well, if you are asking for blood, heavily sticky blood, but you know, we are still undertaking, continuing performance evaluations even of those undersecretaries or those lower than the cabinet rank functionaries,” he explained.
He added that the President expects those retained to renew their focus on their mandates and deliver improved results. “These Secretaries whose resignation have been declined … have been victims of intrigues and harassment from nay quarters. That is why we came out today with an announcement of who they are because it’s just simple justice to them,” Bersamin said.
Fresh Marching Orders and Expectations
The officials who kept their posts will receive individual directives, underscoring that “the President demands the highest degree of performance.” Those whose resignations were accepted likely did not meet the President’s standards, though specific reasons remain private.
Bersamin noted, “Those who have not been retained, know also where they have failed or where they were short in delivery.”
Ongoing Performance Evaluation and Cabinet Management
The Palace official highlighted that President Marcos manages his Cabinet with clear expectations for achievement. “The President is a manager; he has his own levels of achievement that he has imposed on each of us in the Cabinet,” Bersamin said. “It is only the President who can decide if we performed up to par or we delivered on those promises or the expectation that he gave to us.”
Because many officials remain, it suggests they met performance benchmarks. Still, Bersamin cautioned that evaluation is continuous. “The President may even terminate or remove any of us; we are at his will. If the performance evaluation is a continuing process, you can be sure that anytime, anyone who is not performing according to the standard of the President will be replaced or relocated.”
Other Cabinet Changes and Reassignments
Apart from the 21 retained secretaries, President Marcos accepted the resignations of the Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor Chair Meynardo Sabili, Presidential Assistants for the Visayas and Muslim Affairs Terence Calatrava and Almarim Tillah, respectively. Presidential Adviser for Special Concerns Menardo Espineli was also relieved.
Additionally, the President reshuffled some positions: Department of Energy Secretary Raphael Lotilla was moved to lead the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, while Human Settlements Secretary Jerry Acuzar was named Presidential Adviser for Pasig River Development. Meanwhile, Department of Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo will continue serving for now.
Conclusion
President Marcos’ Cabinet reorganization reflects a careful balance between continuity and change. While many leaders remain, the ongoing performance reviews underline the President’s demand for excellence. This measured approach aims to strengthen governance while ensuring accountability.
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