Metro Manila, Philippines – Ten officials took oath for their appointments on Friday, Nov. 6, at Malacañan Palace.
Sworn in by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., Malacañang said the designation aimed to highlight the commitment to strengthening accountability, transparency, and improved public service.
“This is the best team ever assembled here since my father’s cabinet,” Marcos said before administering the oath.
Among those appointed was Ralph Recto as executive secretary, who said his first directive from the president was to ease prices of goods and services.
Meanwhile, Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon and Public Works Secretary Giovanni Lopez traded agency roles.
Lopez said both agencies aim to expedite road repairs and expand the number of public transit modes, especially with the upcoming Christmas holidays.
“Tandem kami, lagi kami magtatrabaho together para mas mabilis,” Dizon said.
[Translation: We are a tandem, always working together to ramp things up.]
Another appointee is Gay Jane Perez as director general of the Philippine Space Agency.
“Nandito po kami, ang Philippine Space Agency, para tuparin ‘yung pangako ni president Marcos na dalhin ‘yung space para sa bawat Pilipino,” she said. “So space for the benefit of the Filipino people.”
[Translation: We are here, the Philippine Space Agency, to fulfil President Marcos’s promise to bring space to each Filipino.]
Perez mentioned two anticipated launches slated next year, which are the Multispectral Unit for Land Assessment satellite that will bring data to be used for agricultural management, and a liquid-fueled rocket.
Edwin Mercado is health secretary, and expressed intent on improving community and primary care services.
Other officials were Justice Secretary Fredderick Vida, Labor Secretary Francis Tolentino, Environment Secretary Juan Miguel Cuna,Tourism Secretary Maria Bernardita Angara-Mathay, and Budget Secretary Kim Robert de Leon.
The appointees need to be confirmed by the Commission on Appointments.
