Aliling is new housing chief, replaces Acuzar

Metro Manila, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has promoted former Undersecretary Jose Ramon "Ping" Aliling as the new secretary of the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD), replacing Jerry Acuzar in his bid to reset his Cabinet midway through his term.

In a briefing on Friday, May 23, Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin said the president accepted Acuzar’s courtesy resignation, which Marcos sought from all secretaries.

Bersamin cited "underdelivery" as the reason behind the replacement of Acuzar, adding he must have “set the standard too high for himself."

An engineer by profession, Aliling is CEO of private firm Jose Aliling Construction Management Group.

As Housing undersecretary under Acuzar, he was in charge of Pambansang Pabahay Para sa Pilipino Housing (4PH) program and Pasig Bigyang Huhay Muli project.

He is also the youngest president of the Construction Management Association of the Philippines.

Bersamin said Aliling’s expertise signals the agency’s focus on infrastructure and housing initiatives.

In a sweeping move to “realign government with the people’s expectations,” Marcos sought the courtesy resignation of all Cabinet secretaries, signaling what he described as a decisive recalibration of his administration.