‘GRAND PUKSAAN’: Marcos Orders Cabinet Resignations for Review

 

By Joseph Bernard A. Marzan

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Thursday, May 22, ordered all Cabinet officials to submit courtesy resignations as part of a sweeping government performance review midway through his term.

The Presidential Communications Office said the move aims to “realign government with the people’s expectations.”

The review is meant to give the president “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 Jr. said in the PCO statement.

“The people have spoken, and they expect results — not politics, not excuses. We hear them, and we will act.”

“This is not about personalities — it’s about performance, alignment and urgency,” he added.

“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.”

In a podcast clip uploaded by the PCO on Thursday, Marcos emphasized the review’s importance in hitting his administration’s goals.

“We will look at the delays in delivering service. What can we do to speed it up? That’s what is important,” he said.

PCO Undersecretary Claire Castro said during a Malacañang briefing that officials will remain in their posts during the review, and government operations will continue.

“Pending and existing projects will proceed despite the transition,” Castro said.

“Cabinet secretaries and agency heads must align with the president’s goals. They need to prove they remain committed to the administration.”

As of 7 p.m. Thursday, the following officials have submitted courtesy resignations, according to media reports gathered by Daily Guardian:

• Lucas Bersamin (Executive Secretary)
• Conrado Estrella III (Agrarian Reform)
• Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. (Agriculture)
• Amenah Pangandaman (Budget and Management)
• Arsenio Balisacan (Economic Planning)
• Juan Edgardo Angara (Education)
• Raphael Perpetuo Lotilla (Energy)
• Antonia Loyzaga (Environment and Natural Resources)
• Ralph Recto (Finance)
• Enrique Manalo (Foreign Affairs)
• Teodoro Herbosa (Health)
• Jose Rizalino Acuzar (Human Settlements and Urban Development)
• Henry Rhoel Aguda (Information and Communications Technology)
• Juanito Victor Remulla (Interior and Local Government)
• Jesus Crispin Remulla (Justice)
• Bienvenido Laguesma (Labor and Employment)
• Hans Leo Cacdac (Migrant Workers)
• Gilberto Teodoro (National Defense)
• Renato Solidum (Science and Technology)
• Rex Gatchalian (Social Welfare and Development)
• Christina Frasco (Tourism)
• Christina Roque (Trade and Industry)
• Vince Dizon (Transportation)
• Jose Francisco Benitez (TESDA)
• Menardo Guevarra (Solicitor General)
• Jay Ruiz (Presidential Communications Office)
• Romando Artes (MMDA)
• Eduardo Año (National Security Adviser)
• Ernesto Perez (Anti-Red Tape Authority)
• Frederick Go (Presidential Adviser on Investment and Economic Affairs)
• Antonio Lagdameo (Special Assistant to the President)
• Dante Ang (Commission on Filipinos Overseas)
• Mark Llandro Mendoza (Presidential Legislative Liaison Officer)
• Patricia Caunan (Overseas Workers Welfare Administration)
• Larry Gadon (Presidential Adviser on Poverty Alleviation)

Caunan was the most recent appointee, taking over the OWWA post on May 16 after issues involving her predecessor, Arnell Ignacio.

The Cabinet shakeup comes after poor performance by Marcos’ slate, Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas, in the Senate elections.

Of the 11 candidates in the five-party coalition, only six won — Erwin Tulfo, Panfilo Lacson, Tito Sotto, Pia Cayetano, Lito Lapid and Camille Villar.

Other winners include non-administration candidates Bong Go, Bam Aquino, Bato dela Rosa, Kiko Pangilinan, Rodante Marcoleta and Imee Marcos.

President Marcos’ sister was initially part of his slate but left in March and was later endorsed by Vice President Sara Duterte and Camille Villar.

This is not the first time a Philippine president has ordered a Cabinet revamp following political or administrative crises.

President Corazon Aquino did so in 1987 after coup attempts, and President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo followed suit in 2005 after the “Hello Garci” scandal.

President Rodrigo Duterte also called for courtesy resignations in 2016 but excluded Cabinet secretaries and several other officials.

Castro said the timing of Marcos’ reshuffle was not tied to election results but part of a planned review.

“When I was appointed press officer, I already mentioned a revamp was coming,” she said.

“There weren’t updates back then, but the president was always intent on reviewing agency performance. This didn’t just start now. Some removals happened even before the election.”