Cabinet reset: Marcos orders courtesy resignations

MANILA, Philippines — Hearing the voice of the people in the midterm elections, President Marcos is promising “sharper, faster and fully focused governance,” starting with sweeping changes in his official family.

Marcos asked all Cabinet-level officials yesterday to submit courtesy resignations, in what Malacañang described as a “bold reset” of his administration following the Alyansa coalition’s weak performance in the May 12 elections.

At least 18 of the officials – led by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin – almost immediately resigned or expressed intention to do so. Even newly appointed administrator of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration Patricia Yvonne Caunan submitted her “unqualified” courtesy resignation.

In a statement, Malacañang said Marcos called for the “courtesy resignation of all Cabinet secretaries in a decisive move to recalibrate his administration following the results of the recent elections.”

“This is not business as usual,” Marcos was cited as saying in the statement issued by the Presidential Communications Office (PCO). “The people have spoken and they expect results — not politics, not excuses. We hear them and we will act,” he said.

The Palace maintained the President’s call was aimed at giving him “the elbow room to evaluate the performance of each department and determine who will continue to serve in line with his administration’s recalibrated priorities.”

“This is not about personalities — it’s about performance, alignment and urgency,” Marcos said. “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.”

Government services will remain uninterrupted during the transition, according to PCO, adding that “with this bold reset, the Marcos administration signals a new phase — sharper, faster and fully focused on the people’s most pressing needs.”

Five out of the 12 Senate seats contested in the midterm elections were won by allies of Vice President Sara Duterte or her father, former president Rodrigo Duterte, who is awaiting trial before the International Criminal Court in The Hague for crimes against humanity over the deaths of thousands – mostly poor suspects – in a brutal anti-drugs crackdown.

Marcos-endorsed senatorial candidates won five Senate seats while two other seats were unexpectedly won by Bam Aquino and Francis Pangilinan.

Marcos, the 67-year-old son and namesake of a late dictator overthrown in 1986, won the presidency by a landslide in 2022 in a stunning political comeback as he made a steadfast call for national unity. But he and his Vice President later had a falling out that sparked intense political discord.

Grateful for the trust

The officials who filed courtesy resignation thanked the President for giving them the chance to serve the government, as they acknowledged the need for a review of their performance.

“I offer this in recognition of the principle that all members of the Cabinet serve at the pleasure of the President, and full support of your vision for a united and responsive administration,” Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said in his resignation letter.

“Whatever the outcome, I remain fully committed to the goals of your administration and to the service of the Filipino people,” he said.

“I think it’s something that’s given to him as a leader of this country to have the best people he trusts to keep running the government with him. We give him the full trust and confidence the same way he gives it to us,” he said in a separate interview.

On the President’s order, Solicitor General Menardo Guevarra said “we’ll all just comply, continue working, and wait.”

“The President needs all the leeway to move the country forward, including shuffling his cabinet lieutenants,” Guevarra, who had served as the justice secretary under the Duterte administration, said.

“I deeply appreciate the trust and confidence that was bestowed upon me and to have served the people under this administration,” Social Welfare Secretary Rex Gatchalian said in his resignation letter.

The Department of Foreign Affairs, through spokesperson Ma. Teresita Daza, confirmed the resignation of Secretary Enrique Manalo “in accordance with the instructions of the President.”

Closer to people

Health Secretary Ted Herbosa said he was immensely grateful to the President for the trust. “I remain wholeheartedly a supporter of the government as it continues to bring health care closer to our people across all of our islands,” Herbosa said.

“As a member of the President’s official family, I am always subject to the control, and work under the trust and confidence, of His Excellency. I therefore humbly heed the call for courtesy resignation, which I shall submit immediately today,” Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Cacdac said in a statement announcing his resignation.

Trade Secretary Cristina Roque also tendered her resignation yesterday.

“I thank the President for this rare privilege to serve the Filipino people. I place my full trust and confidence in his leadership and direction for the nation,” she said.

Labor Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma said the President will now have a free hand to choose the new members of his official family.

“A Cabinet Secretary serves for as long as he/she enjoys the full trust and confidence of the appointing authority… Thus, it is well within the plenary authority of the President to require that courtesy resignation be handed over by his Cabinet,” he said.

“There is no more important that his. I will always accede to his wisdom,” Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla said on Viber.

Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro Jr., in a statement, assured the public that “the Department of National Defense and its bureaus, especially the Armed Forces of the Philippines, will continue to fulfill its mandate of upholding our sovereignty and territorial integrity, and ensure the continuity of public service in support of national development during this time of transition.”

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr., on medical leave for a regular check-up, said he was surprised by Marcos’ directive but immediately complied with it.

“It’s clear that he seeks the flexibility to respond to the people’s clamor as conveyed in the recent midterm polls. 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 am committed to a smooth and seamless transition for my successor. The vital work of the department must continue with no roadblocks,” Education Secretary Sonny Angara said in a statement.

Fast-tracking projects

Information and Communications Technology Secretary Henry Rhoel Aguda said the President’s order “underscores his firm commitment to fast-track projects that uplift the lives of Filipinos.”

Science Secretary Renato Solidum Jr. said he was resigning “to enable the President to implement the reforms he deems necessary to provide the best service to the Filipino people.”

In his resignation letter, Energy Secretary Raphael Lotilla acknowledged the need for the President “to have a free hand in reorganizing his Cabinet for the remainder of his term.”

“The midterm is an excellent opportunity for taking stock and re-energizing the government’s efforts to serve our people better,” Lotilla said.

“We at the department and its attached agencies are one with the President in working together to realize a future for all Filipinos where energy is accessible and affordable, reliable and resilient, and clean and environmentally sustainable,” he added.

“You can count that I will continue to support the programs of your administration toward a Bagong Pilipinas (New Philippines),” Human Settlements Secretary Jose Rizalino Acuzar said in Filipino after filing his resignation.

“Under your leadership, we have worked to transform tourism to be more than just travel, but a unifying force for good, creating jobs, honoring our culture, and helping communities thrive,” Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia-Frasco said as she thanked the President for the “honor and privilege to have served our country.”

The information office of the Metro Manila Development Authority said its chairman Romando Artes “complied with the directive” of the President.

Also tendering their resignation were Economic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan and Frederick Go, presidential special assistant for investment. — Bella Cariaso, Daphne Galvez, Delon Porcalla, Ghio Ong, Eleizabeth Marcelo, Brix Lelis, Rainier Allan Ronda, EJ Macababbad, Jasper Arcalas, Michael Punongbayan, Jose Rodel Clapano, Emmanuel Tupas, Rhodina Villanueva, Pia Lee-Brago