Marcos retains majority of Cabinet in latest output review
Metro Manila, Philippines - President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has decided to retain the majority of Cabinet members in the latest round of performance review, signaling preference for continuity and stability in key agencies midway through his term.
In a press briefing Tuesday, June 3, at Malacañang, Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin said the president has declined the courtesy resignations of most Cabinet officials.
“The secretaries whose resignations have been declined need to be announced because there have been many speculations that have been going around and they have been the victims of intrigues and harassment from many quarters. It’s just simple justice to them,” said Bersamin.
The following Cabinet members and officials were retained:
+ Agriculture Sec. Francisco Tiu-Laurel
+ Agrarian Reform Sec. Conrado Estrella
+ Education Sec. Sonny Angara
+ Labor Sec. Bienvenido Laguesma
+ Social Welfare and Development Sec. Rex Gatchalian
+ Health Sec. Ted Herbosa
+ Migrant Workers Sec. Hans Leo Cacdac
+ Science and Technology Sec. Renato Solidum
+ Tourism Sec. Christina Frasco
+ Information and Communications Technology Sec. Henry Aguda
+ Transportation Sec. Vince Dizon
+ Public Works and Highways Sec. Manuel Bonoan
+ MMDA Chairman Romando Artes
+ BIR Commissioner Romeo Lumagui
+ Customs Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio
+ Treasurer of the Philippines Sharon Almanza
+ Presidential Management Staff Secretary Elaine Masukat
+ Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Juan Ponce Enrile
+ TESDA Director General Kiko Benitez
+ Mindanao Development Authority chief Leo Magno
+ Presidential Adviser on Mindanao Concerns Antonio Cerilles
“All of them who have been retained, including myself, are expected to give fresh attention to the mandates and show more performance in our respective areas,” Bersamin said.
More reviews
While most officials remained in office, the Palace said a number of presidential advisers and assistants were let go, namely, Urban Poor Commission Chairman Meynardo Sabili, Presidential Assistant for the Visayas Terence Calatrava, and Presidential Assistant on Muslim Affairs Almarim Tillah. Presidential Adviser for Special Concerns Menardo Espineli was terminated.
“The assessments about them are that they did not perform up to par. Let us assume that the president has good reasons, the best reasons, not to continue with their services at this time,” said Bersamin.
Marcos also appointed seasoned lawyer and former Philippine Stock Exchange president Francis Edralin Lim as the incoming chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission, replacing Emilio Aquino, whose term will end on June 5.
Not a purge
Meanwhile, it seems the impact of the performance review has settled down a bit insofar as the Cabinet is concerned.
“If you are asking for blood, there will still be blood. But at least for the major departments, wala hong masyadong movement,” Bersamin said.
He said the president continues to expect higher performance from the Cabinet.
“All of them who have been retained, including myself, are expected to give fresh attention to the mandates and show more performance in our respective areas. Even if you have been retained now, you will still be expected to deliver on your marching orders,” said Bersamin.
The executive secretary stressed that performance evaluation will continue, including undersecretaries and officials in government-owned and -controlled corporations. He said results of the assessments would be disclosed in due time.
“You can be sure that at any time, anyone who is not performing according to the standards of the president will be replaced or relocated,” Bersamin said.
