President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has opted to retain key Cabinet officials in their positions, despite an earlier directive for courtesy resignations, as part of efforts to recalibrate his administration.
During a press briefing at the Palace on Tuesday, Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin revealed the names of Cabinet officials whose courtesy resignations were rejected by the President.
The following officials have been retained in their respective posts:
- Deparment of Agriculture (DA) Sec. Francisco "Kiko" P. Tiu Laurel Jr.
- Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) Sec. Conrado Estrella III
- Department of Education (DepEd) Sec. Sonny Angara
- TESDA Director General, Secretary Jose Francisco Kiko Benitez
- Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Sec. Bienvenido Laguesma
- Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Sec. Rex Gatchalian
- Department of Health (DOH) Sec. Teodoro Herbosa
- Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Sec. Hans Leo Cacdac
- Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Sec. Renato Solidum Jr.
- Department of Tourism (DOT) Sec. Ma. Christina Frasco
- Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Sec. Henry Aguda
- Department of Transportation (DOTr) Sec. Vivencio "Vince" Dizon II
- Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Sec. Manuel Bonoan
- Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Juan Ponce Enrile
- Presidential Management Staff (PMS) Sec. Elaine Masukat
- Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Romando Artes
- Mindanao Development Authority (MinDa) Chairperson Leo Tereso Magno
- Presidential Adviser for Mindanao Concerns Atty. Antonio Cerilles
- Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) Commissioner Romeo Lumagui Jr.
- Bureau of Customs (BOC) Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio
- Treasurer of the Philippines Sharon Almanza
Meanwhile, the President accepted the courtesy resignations of Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor Chairperson and CEO Meynardo Sabili, Presidential Assistant for the Visayas Terence Calatrava, and Presidential Assistant on Muslim Affairs Almarim Tillah.
Meynardo Espineli, who served as Presidential Adviser for Special Concerns, has also been officially terminated from office.
As part of the recent appointments, Atty. Francis Edralin Lim was named the incoming chairperson of the Securities and Exchange Commission, Bersamin announced.
"He will take over the incumbent Chairman Emilio Aquino whose term will expire on June 5, 2025," said Bersamin.
"Attorney Lim is a distinguished member of the legal and financial communities. He has an extensive background in corporate and securities law," he added.
Bersamin highlighted Lim’s credentials, noting that he previously held the position of president and CEO of the Philippine Stock Exchange.
Furthermore, he is a senior partner at ACCRALAW and a former president and trustee of the Shareholders’ Association of the Philippines.
The Palace also clarified that Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo is set to be designated as the next Permanent Representative of the Philippines to the United Nations, likely effective August 1, pending his confirmation.
In the meantime, Secretary Enrique Manalo will remain at the helm of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), as his courtesy resignation was also not accepted.
"The President recognizes the designation to be considered as done only after his [Enrique Manalo] confirmation. In the meanwhile he will remain as the Secretary of Foreign Affairs, in the meanwhile because there was a misunderstanding maybe about when he would really stop performing or discharging his duties as secretary," said Bersamin.
"May I just make this additional point: That means that Secretary Manalo’s courtesy resignation was declined; he continues to be the Secretary of Foreign Affairs. It’s necessary to clarify that because there should be no uncertainty about his status," he added.
Marcos had previously affirmed the retention of the Executive Secretary and five other Cabinet members, notably his core economic managers.
On May 29, Bersamin announced that Marcos had accepted the courtesy resignations of Solicitor General Menardo Guevarra and CHED Chairperson Prospero “Popoy” de Vera III.
