Marcos Retains Economic Team as He Begins Cabinet Reshuffle

By Joseph Bernard A. Marzan

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has retained his key economic advisers amid an ongoing Cabinet reshuffle that began after he directed all secretaries and agency heads to submit courtesy resignations.

Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin announced on May 23 that Marcos had rejected his resignation and those of five top economic officials.

Retained were Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman, Economic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan, Finance Secretary Ralph Recto, Trade Secretary Christina Roque and Presidential Assistant for Investment and Economic Affairs Frederick Go.

Bersamin said the early confirmation of the economic team was due to the urgency of their roles, though more Cabinet announcements would follow in the coming days.

“Actions on courtesy resignations of other Cabinet secretaries will undergo more careful evaluation,” Bersamin said.

“The economic team is urgent,” he added.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo will return to his previous post as the country’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations.

Bersamin said Manalo’s appointment is crucial to the Philippines’ bid for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council for 2027 to 2028.

Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro, who oversees Bilateral Relations and ASEAN Affairs, will take over the department.

Bersamin confirmed that several other officials have already been informed of the President’s decisions regarding their positions.

He also announced new assignments within the Cabinet.

Energy Secretary Raphael Perpetuo Lotilla will move to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), replacing Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga.

Yulo-Loyzaga, who was not linked to any corruption, will be given time to rest and may be reassigned in the future.

“Secretary Loyzaga has no corruption issue,” Bersamin said.

“There’s just a perception that she spent less time in the country due to frequent overseas trips,” he added.

Energy Undersecretary Sharon Garin will serve as DENR officer-in-charge for now.

Housing Secretary Jose Rizalino Acuzar will become Presidential Adviser for Pasig River Development, with Cabinet rank.

Bersamin cited “under-delivery” as the reason for Acuzar’s reassignment, noting that his ambitious housing targets may have set unrealistic expectations.

“[Acuzar] aimed for 1 million houses per year,” Bersamin said.

“He was very efficient in the private sector, but that standard may have been too high,” he added.

Former housing undersecretary Jose Ramon Aliling will replace Acuzar at the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development.

Aliling previously led the 4PH and Pasig Bigyang Buhay Muli programs and was CEO of Jose Aliling Construction Management Group of Companies.

Bersamin declined to give a timeline for further Cabinet decisions, saying evaluations are being done per agency.

“Each Cabinet secretary will be assessed based on the goals of their department,” he said.

Marcos ordered the resignations on May 22, saying they are meant to “realign government with the people’s expectations.”

The latest official to step down was Bureau of Internal Revenue Commissioner Romeo Lumagui, who tendered his resignation on May 23.