President Marcos Retains Key Officials After Cabinet Reshuffle
A day after asking all Cabinet members to submit their courtesy resignations, President Marcos has decided to keep several key officials in place, including Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin and the core economic team. This move reflects the administration’s intent to maintain stability while making targeted changes to improve government performance.
Of the 52 officials who handed in their resignations on May 22, Bersamin and the economic cluster—comprising Trade Secretary Ma. Cristina Roque, Finance Secretary Ralph Recto, Secretary Arsenio Balisacan of the Economy, Planning and Development, Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman, and Special Assistant for Investment and Economic Affairs Frederick Go—were retained.
Executive Secretary Confirms President’s Trust
In a press briefing, Bersamin revealed that President Marcos declined to accept his resignation. “The President declined the courtesy resignation that I tendered. And just this morning, he communicated to me that I have his full backing for as long as I wish to work for him. And that is a very good gesture from the President because that is a sign of a manifestation of his full trust and confidence in myself,” Bersamin said.
He also shared updates on initial Cabinet changes affecting the Departments of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Foreign Affairs (DFA), and Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD).
Key Cabinet Changes Announced
DENR Secretary Maria Antonia Loyzaga will be replaced by Department of Energy Secretary Raphael Lotilla. Meanwhile, DOE Undersecretary Sharon Garin will serve as the officer-in-charge of the DOE. Former DHSUD undersecretary Ramon Aliling is set to take over from Secretary Jerry Acuzar, who will be reassigned as Presidential Adviser for Pasig River Development.
At the DFA, Undersecretary for Bilateral Relations Ma. Theresa Lazaro will assume leadership, replacing Secretary Enrique Manalo. Manalo will become the Philippines’ Permanent Representative to the United Nations, succeeding Ambassador Antonio Manuel Lagdameo, who plans to retire. These changes will take effect on July 31.
Reasons Behind Cabinet Reshuffle: Performance, Not Corruption
Bersamin emphasized that corruption was not a factor in the Cabinet reshuffle. He suggested that underperformance and failure to meet targets were more likely reasons for the changes.
Regarding Secretary Loyzaga, Bersamin noted, “Si Secretary Loyzaga, walang issue ng korapsyon diyan. Maybe there is just a perception—I don’t know how fair or unfair that perception is— na mas malimit siya sa labas ng bansa, yun ang recurring na pinapadating sa amin.” He added, “Ngunit huwag na natin siyang husgahan, whether inefficiency ‘yan or hindi, that’s not up for us to do but the evaluation showed that it was time to have her rest muna.”
When asked if Loyzaga’s case was due to underperformance, Bersamin responded, “Underperformed siguro ang tawag diyan. Kasi kung may expectation ang Presidente, and you do not perform, the messaging is underperformance is not going to be allowed.”
He also indicated that Loyzaga could still be considered for future government or Cabinet roles.
As for Secretary Acuzar, Bersamin explained, “Hindi mo rin masabing corruption ‘yan, wala. Hindi mo rin masabing underperformance. Under-delivery.” He acknowledged that Acuzar faced high expectations, particularly in delivering one million housing units annually until 2028, and that some obstacles might have been beyond his or the government’s control. “Pero I don’t know if he set the standard too high for himself dahil one million housing units a year, there may have been obstacles in his way which were beyond his control and beyond the control of the government,” Bersamin said.
Diplomatic Appointment and Economic Team Stability
Bersamin did not cite other reasons for replacing Manalo as DFA secretary aside from appointing him as the new UN envoy, a position the President highly values. “Yung posisyon na ‘yan ay napakataas sa pagtingin ng ating Pangulo kaya si Secretary Manalo mismo ang ilalagay natin diyan na kapalit ni Ambassador Antonio Lagdameo,” he said, highlighting the importance of the role as the Philippines campaigns for a Non-Permanent seat on the UN Security Council for 2027-2028.
Meanwhile, President Marcos chose to keep his economic team intact, considering the urgency of managing the country’s economy. Bersamin explained, “The President decided to retain these five members of the economic team so that there will be no more problems sa perception about where the country is going.”
The Desire for “Action Men” in the Cabinet
Bersamin revealed that the President wants to bring in “action men” to the Cabinet, driven by his observation that ordinary Filipinos are not fully benefiting from government projects. “Mahirap nating i-prejudge yung actions that will be taken but you can be sure that the President really wants to be responsive to the popular clamor for performance, for change,” he said.
He quoted the President recalling a recent comment: “One time, recently lang, sinabi niya na we seem not to be delivering to the common tao because they are the greater number of our people. So what must we do, we must have action men. So, you can be sure that that is the direction…I’m not calling this a purge, it’s a cleansing.”
Bersamin also indicated that new faces might join the Cabinet but stressed, “no one can second guess what the President really has in his heart.”
Courtesy Resignations Were a Respectful Move
Addressing concerns that the President’s call for courtesy resignations might be a political gimmick, Bersamin defended the approach. “It’s best that we did it this way. So that it will be more honorable for them. Hindi naman kami yung diktador na magsasabi na: uy, wala ka na. sipain mo na.”
He added, “When I said that we are all serving at the will of the President’s pleasure, we have to humanize. So demanding a courtesy resignation is the best way of doing it because all that you can do is just to accept. And that’s the end of the debate.”
Performance Review Process and Next Steps
Bersamin did not disclose details about the review committee evaluating Cabinet members but assured that it consists of highly qualified and objective individuals. “Ang paghuhusga naman e, it is based on what is observed, what are on the ground now, performance, etc. So these are all brought to the attention of the President, who makes the ultimate decision, whether to dismiss or accept the resignation, or continue or to give a new mandate,” he explained.
He also hinted that further announcements may come after next Wednesday but did not specify how long the evaluation process will take. “Hindi mo pwedeng i-lumpsum yung mga Cabinet secretaries because each has a different area of responsibility, each has a burden that is different from the other,” Bersamin concluded.
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