Metro Manila, Philippines – Malacañang downplayed President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s lighthearted remark about a possible Cabinet shake-up, saying the comment was delivered in jest and should not be interpreted as a policy signal.
During the Bagong Bayani Awards ceremony at the Palace on Thursday, Nov. 20, Marcos joked that First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos had effectively become “an ambassador for migrant workers” because of her recent trips to Europe where she checked on overseas Filipino workers’ (OFW) welfare.
“It’s your new designation… ‘di ba magka-Cabinet shake-up tayo, so kasama ka na doon,” he said, eliciting laughter from the audience.
[Translation: …we’re having a Cabinet shake-up, right? So you’re part of it.]
Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro told reporters in a press briefing that there is no ongoing or planned Cabinet reorganization.
“Kung nakita ninyo po na parang pabiro po ‘yung pagkakasabi ng Pangulo, so ‘yun muna po tayo — face value,” she said.
[Translation: If you saw that the President said it jokingly, then let’s take it at face value for now.]
“Sa ngayon po, wala pa po tayong ina-announce o sinasabing update patungkol diyan,” she added.
[Translation: For now, we have no announcements or updates regarding that.]
No internal investigation
Castro also clarified that the Palace has not initiated an internal investigation following the resignation of former Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin and former Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman, as well as the probe involving several undersecretaries linked to alleged flood control anomalies.
“Sa ngayon ay wala pa pong ipinapaabot sa atin kung may internal investigation,” she said.
[Translation: As of now, nothing has been relayed to us about an internal investigation]
She noted that inquiries related to flood control and infrastructure corruption fall under the jurisdiction of the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI), which was formed to ensure impartial review of such cases.
Asked whether all Cabinet members should be considered under investigation given the breadth of the scandal, Castro said there was no basis for such speculation.
“Wala po akong masasabi na lahat ay under investigation,” she said. [Translation: I cannot say that everyone is under investigation.]
The Palace also rejected claims that the Cabinet officials who resigned were given a “graceful exit” to avoid accountability.
Castro said any probe or prosecution would be undertaken by the ICI, the Office of the Ombudsman, or the Department of Justice.
