ES Bersamin, economic team keep posts in Cabinet shake-up

Metro Manila, Philippines - President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has retained Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin and the top members of his economic team amid the administration’s bid for a reset in the Cabinet.

In a briefing on Friday, May 23, Bersamin said that Marcos declined his resignation which he said is the president’s “manifestation of full trust and confidence” in him.

“He communicated to me that I have his full backing for as long as I wish to work for him and that is a very good gesture from the president,” he said.

Bersamin added that Marcos decided to retain the following members of the Cabinet after careful evaluation:

Trade Secretary Maria Cristina Roque

Finance Secretary Ralph Recto

Development Secretary Arsenio Balisacan

Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman

• Economic czar Frederick Go

“The president decided to retain these five members of the economic team so that there would be no more problems in the perception about where the country is going,” Bersamin said.

In response, Recto thanked the president for his continued trust.

“More than a vote of confidence, I take this as a marching order to push harder and deliver results faster, and thus we will also do our own recalibration within the department,” he said in a statement.

Marcos sought the courtesy resignation of all Cabinet secretaries, signaling what he described as a decisive recalibration of his administration. 

The Palace said the shake-up halfway through the administration does not single out an official and government operations are unhampered.