Cabinet secretaries comply with president’s call for courtesy resignations
Several department heads among President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s economic team filed their respective courtesy resignations on Thursday in response to the president’s request issued to his entire cabinet.
Marcos seeks to recalibrate his administration’s key officials 10 days after the May 12 midterm election.
Those who have yet to tender their resignations as of press time have conveyed their intention to comply with the presidential request.
On May 22, Marcos called for all Cabinet secretaries, as well as Cabinet-level heads of agencies and advisers to send in their courtesy resignation.
Malacañang said this gives leeway for the president to do a performance evaluation of each department and decide on who will stay and continue to serve in line with the Marcos administration’s recalibrated priorities.
Without delay
In his statement, Finance Secretary Ralph Recto said he submitted his courtesy resignation “without delay or reservation.”
“I fully support the President’s directive for Cabinet members to submit their courtesy resignations,” Recto said.
“The President carries the heavy burden of leading the nation through complex global and domestic challenges. This bold decision was made with his desire to put people and country first,” Recto added.
Recto took office on Jan. 12, 2024, to replace Benjamin Diokno, who was appointed by the Duterte administration.
“That I serve at the pleasure of the President is a thought that has never been lost on me from the day I assumed office,” Recto said.
Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman, who took her oath of office on July 5, 2022, said she will also tender her resignation.
Best interest of the people
“We all serve at the pleasure of the President. I support all of his decisions, knowing that they are always made with the best interest of the Filipino people in mind,” Pangandaman said.
“I stand firmly with the President as he steers the nation and our economy forward with integrity, transparency, courage and compassion,” she added.
Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev) Secretary Arsenio Balisacan said: “I serve as DEPDev Secretary at the pleasure of the President. If deemed necessary, I stand ready to hand over the leadership to someone the President believes can better drive our nation’s development goals.”
Balisacan was one of the first Cabinet secretaries appointed to the Marcos administration. He accepted the posting on June 30, 2022.
He also served as socioeconomic planning secretary during the presidency of Benigno Aquino III.
Secretary Frederick Go, Special Assistant to the President on Investment and Economic Affairs said he has submitted his courtesy resignation.
Go was appointed on Dec. 15, 2023, through Executive Order No. 49, which created the Office of the Special Assistant to the President for Investment and Economic Affairs.
Go was a popular executive in the private sector, who served as president of Robinsons Land Corp., before he was asked by the president to join the Cabinet.
A rare privilege
Trade Secretary Cristina Roque did not issue an official statement to the media but announced on Facebook at noon on Thursday that “… I respectfully submit my courtesy resignation as Secretary of the Department of Trade and Industry.”
Roque has been the trade secretary for more than nine months. She was appointed on Aug. 2, 2024, replacing Alfredo Pascual.
Roque also thanked the president for what she deemed as a “rare privilege” to serve the people.
“I place my full trust and confidence in his leadership and direction for the nation,” said Roque, who founded the popular women’s clothing company Kamiseta.
Call to put people first
Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco said she has tendered her courtesy resignation, noting she always supports the Marcos “administration’s call to put the people first.”
Frasco said the department has pursued the president’s vision to transform tourism into more than just about travel, but a unifying force for good, creating jobs, honoring our culture, and helping communities thrive.
“As I await the President’s decision, I shall continue to support his vision of improving the lives of those who depend on tourism for their livelihood,” she said.
Frasco was also one of the administration’s early appointees. She served as mayor of Liloan town in Cebu from 2016 to 2022, before assuming her Cabinet post in June 2022
Meanwhile, Transportation Secretary Vicencio Dizon and Information and Communications Technology Secretary Henry Rhoel Aguda filed their respective courtesy resignations on May 22.
Dizon announced his decision to resign during a joint press conference on Thursday, together with officials from the Department of Transportation (DOTr), the Land Transportation Office and the Philippine National Police.
During the event, Dizon said: “I will sign and submit my resignation right after this press conference … We must always focus on the needs of our citizens.”
Realign govt with expectations
In his letter addressed to the president and coursed through Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, Dizon said: “In line with the President’s directive to realign government with the people’s expectations and ensure faster and more focused action to address their most pressing needs, the undersigned respectfully tenders his unqualified courtesy resignation as secretary of the DOTr.”
Dizon succeeded then Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista on February 21, 2025.
Aguda submitted a separate letter through Bersamin.
“Pursuant to your directive to all members of the Cabinet to submit their courtesy resignation to recalibrate your administration, I hereby tender my courtesy resignation as Secretary of the DICT,” Aguda said in his letter of resignation.
He assumed his post on March 25, 2025, replacing Ivan John Uy.
Expression of full support
Energy Secretary Raphael Lotilla said he submitted his resignation “effective upon the President’s acceptance.”
His move, Lotilla said, is an expression of “full support” for the president’s goal to “have a free hand in reorganizing his Cabinet for the remainder of his term.”
“The mid-term is an excellent opportunity for taking stock and re-energizing the government’s efforts to serve our people better,” Lotilla said.
Lotilla first served as energy secretary from 2005 to 2007 under President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.
He was among the earliest officials appointed to the current administration, returning to the same position in July 2022.
Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga, said she will also “respectfully tender” her courtesy resignation.
She said she trusts the wisdom of President Marcos “on what is best for our country,”
Loyzaga was also among the first Cabinet officials to serve under the Marcos administration, beginning in July 2022.
The president has spoken
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. also submitted his courtesy resignation on Thursday.
“The President has spoken. It’s clear that he seeks the flexibility to respond to the people’s clamor as conveyed in the recent midterm polls,” he said.
“As members of his official family, we are called to support his efforts to recalibrate and move forward with renewed focus,” Tiu Laurel said.
“I … now leave it to the President’s good judgment to determine whether I shall continue to be part of his team as he advances his vision for the country,” he added.
Tiu Laurel said he will continue to serve the department and its stakeholders, even after filing his resignation letter.
He urged department officials and staff to continue serving the farmers, fisherfolk and the Filipino people to ensure they have access to affordable food.
Tiu Laurel also asked the department to continue to deliver the P20 per kg rice and accelerate projects to modernize Philippine agriculture and ensure food security.
Tiu Laurel was appointed agriculture secretary in November 2023. The position was held concurrently by President Marcos himself. — With additional reporting by Irma Isip, Myla Iglesias, Jed Macapagal
