Govt transitions to more focused, performance-driven approach
PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. called for the courtesy resignation of all Cabinet secretaries and Cabinet-level heads of agencies and advisers as part of efforts to recalibrate the administration following results of the May 12 midterm elections.
“This is not business as usual. The people have spoken, and they expect results — not politics, not excuses. We hear them, and we will act,” the president said in a news release read out by the presidential press officer in a news conference in Malacañang on Thursday.
“This is not about personalities — it’s about performance, alignment, and urgency. Those who have delivered and continue to deliver will be recognized. But we cannot afford to be complacent. The time for comfort zones is over,” Marcos said in the statement.
The president said the call for courtesy resignations is aimed at giving him some elbow room to evaluate the performance of each department and determine who will continue to serve in line with his administration’s recalibrated priorities.
Marcos said “stability, continuity, and meritocracy will guide the formation of his leadership team moving forward.”
He said the move is a clear transition from the early phase of governance to a more focused and performance-driven approach.
He assured the public that government services will remain uninterrupted during the transition.
Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the Cabinet officials should continue to hold their post until a permanent appointment is made or actions are taken on their courtesy resignation.
Castro, in the briefing in Malacañang, said this will give the secretaries the chance to show why they should remain in their posts, or not.
She said Malacañang will announce results of the performance evaluation in due time.
Advisers and assistants, too
Castro clarified the call for courtesy resignations is not limited to the Cabinet secretaries, but also covers the Cabinet-rank heads of agencies, the presidential advisers and assistants.
She said she is not aware of any specific Cabinet secretary that is targeted by the courtesy resignation directive.
She said the president had to ask for the courtesy resignation of all the Cabinet-level officials to make them aware and realize if they have been doing their jobs well or if they are performing below expectations.
As of 1 pm Thursday, the Cabinet officials who have submitted their courtesy resignations or signified plans to file their resignations include Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, Social Welfare Secretary Rex Gatchalian, Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla, Communications Secretary Jay Ruiz, and Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr.
The others are Enrique Manalo (Department of Foreign Affairs), Hans Leo Cacdac (Migrant Workers) Bienvenido Laguesma (Labor), Cristina Frasco (Tourism), Conrado Estrella III (Agrarian Reform), Sonny Angara (Education), Maria Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga (Environment), and Renato Solidum (Science);
Ralph Recto (Finance), Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan, Amenah Pangandaman (Budget), Cristina Aldeguer-Roque (Trade); Vicencio Dizon (Transportation), Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. (agriculture), Henry Aguda (Information), and Raphael Lotilla (Energy);
Presidential adviser for Investments and Economic Affairs Frederick Go, National Security Adviser Eduardo Ano, Solicitor General Menardo Guevara, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority chairman Romando Artes, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority head Jose Benitez, Anti-Red Tape Authority head Ernesto Perez, Legislative Liaison Office head Mark Mendoza and Commission on Filipino Overseas head Dante Ang II.
