Latest news with #Bersamin
Filipino Times
6 days ago
- Business
- Filipino Times
Marcos keeps core cabinet team, says performance reviews ongoing
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has opted to retain most of his Cabinet members following a recent round of performance evaluations, indicating his intent to preserve stability and continuity as his administration moves into its second half. In a Malacañang press briefing on Tuesday, Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin announced that the President had declined the courtesy resignations of several key officials, ensuring their continued leadership. 'The secretaries whose resignations have been declined need to be announced because there have been many speculations… They have been the victims of intrigues and harassment from many quarters. It's just simple justice to them,' Bersamin stated. Retained cabinet and high-ranking officials: Francisco Tiu-Laurel Jr. – Secretary, Department of Agriculture Conrado Estrella III – Secretary, Department of Agrarian Reform Juan Edgardo 'Sonny' Angara – Secretary, Department of Education Bienvenido Laguesma – Secretary, Department of Labor and Employment Rex Gatchalian – Secretary, Department of Social Welfare and Development Teodoro 'Ted' Herbosa – Secretary, Department of Health Hans Leo Cacdac – Secretary, Department of Migrant Workers Renato Solidum Jr. – Secretary, Department of Science and Technology Christina Frasco – Secretary, Department of Tourism Henry Aguda – Secretary, Department of Information and Communications Technology Vivencio 'Vince' Dizon – Secretary, Department of Transportation Manuel Bonoan – Secretary, Department of Public Works and Highways Other officials who will remain in post: Romando Artes – Chairman, MMDA Romeo Lumagui Jr. – Commissioner, Bureau of Internal Revenue Bienvenido Rubio – Commissioner, Bureau of Customs Sharon Almanza – Treasurer of the Philippines Elaine Masukat – Secretary, Presidential Management Staff Juan Ponce Enrile – Chief Presidential Legal Counsel '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. While most top officials were kept in place, the Palace confirmed the acceptance of resignations from several presidential advisers and assistants: Meynardo Sabili – Chairperson, Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor Terence Calatrava – Presidential Assistant for the Visayas Almarim Tillah – Presidential Assistant on Muslim Affairs Menardo Espineli – Presidential Adviser for Special Concerns (terminated) 'The assessments about them is 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,' Bersamin explained. President Marcos also appointed veteran lawyer Atty. Francis Edralin Lim as the new Chairperson of the Securities and Exchange Commission, replacing Emilio Aquino, whose term ends on June 5. Lim previously served as President and CEO of the Philippine Stock Exchange and is known for his expertise in corporate and securities law. Addressing speculation about a sweeping overhaul, Bersamin rejected the notion that the review was a purge. 'If you are asking for blood, there will still be blood… but at least for the major departments, wala hong masyadong movement,' he said. Bersamin emphasized that all officials, including those retained, are still subject to high standards and ongoing performance reviews. 'Even if you have been retained now, you will still be expected to deliver on your marching orders,' he said. The Executive Secretary added that evaluations are ongoing for undersecretaries and heads of government-owned and controlled corporations (GOCCs), with announcements expected in the coming months. 'The performance evaluation is a continuing process. You can be sure that at any time, anyone who is not performing according to standards of the President will be replaced or relocated.'
The Star
6 days ago
- Business
- The Star
President Marcos retains 21 more agency heads after call for courtesy resignations
MANILA: President Marcos (pic) has retained the appointment of 21 officials, including Cabinet secretaries and agency heads, Malacanang Palace said on Tuesday (June 3), following his call for their courtesy resignations two weeks ago. Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin said in a press briefing that the President personally evaluated each official's performance. 'These secretaries have been the victims of intrigues and harassment from many quarters. It's just simple justice to them,' he said. The following retained officials are Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr.; Education Secretary Sonny Angara, Public Works Secretary Manuel Bonoan, Social Welfare Secretary Rex Gatchalian, Health Secretary Ted Herbosa, Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon, Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco, Labour Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma and Agrarian Reform Secretary Conrado Estrella III. The list also includes Science and Technology Secretary Renato Solidum Jr., Information and Communications Technology Secretary Henry Aguda, Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac, Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Juan Ponce Enrile, Customs Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio, Internal Revenue Commissioner Romeo Lumagui Jr., Metropolitan Manila Development Authority Chair Romando Artes, National Treasurer Sharon Almanza, Mindanao Development Authority chief Leo Magno and Presidential Adviser on Mindanao Concerns Antonio Cerilles. Foreign Secretary Enrique Manalo was also retained until confirmed for his next role as Permanent Representative to the United Nations. Marcos, however, has accepted the resignations of Chair Meynardo Sabili of the Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor, Presidential Assistant for the Visayas Terence Calatrava, Presidential Assistant on Muslim Affairs Almarim Tillah, and Presidential Adviser for Special Concerns Menandro Espinelli. 'The assessments about them [are] that they did not perform up to par,' Bersamin said, without elaborating. The President had retained his executive secretary as well as members of his economic team—Finance Secretary Ralph Recto, Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman, Trade Secretary Maria Cristina Roque, Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan, and Special Assistant to the President for Investment and Economic Affairs Frederick Go. Also retained was Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. Bersamin also announced earlier the resignation of Environment Secretary Toni Yulo-Loyzaga, adding that she might later be assigned to another post. Also replaced were Solicitor General Menardo Guevarra and Commission on Higher Education Chair Prospero de Vera III. Some of the retained officials expressed their gratitude to Marcos in their respective statements on Tuesday. The President is preparing to make his first Supreme Court appointment, following the submission of nominees by the Judicial and Bar Council, according to Bersamin. - Philippine Daily Inquirer/ANN
The Star
03-06-2025
- Business
- The Star
Philippines keeps Cabinet mostly unchanged after 'bold reset' call
MANILA: Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr (pic) has retained the majority of his Cabinet ministers, two weeks after requesting their resignations in what he called a "bold reset" of his administration, his executive secretary said on Tuesday (June 3). The call for "courtesy resignations" came in the wake of the disappointing performances by Marcos-backed candidates in the country's recent midterm elections. Speaking at a press briefing, Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin confirmed that Marcos had decided to keep several key officials, including the secretaries of agriculture, education, labour, health, and social welfare. Marcos had earlier maintained his core economic team, along with the heads of the defence, justice, and interior departments. Bersamin also clarified that Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo will remain in his role until Congress confirms his appointment as the Philippines' permanent representative to the United Nations. Manalo was initially expected to step down by July 31. Performance reviews for other senior officials, including undersecretaries, are still ongoing, Bersamin added. "If you are asking for blood, there will still be blood," he said, suggesting further changes could follow. - Reuters
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Philippines keeps Cabinet mostly unchanged after 'bold reset' call
MANILA (Reuters) -Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr has retained the majority of his Cabinet ministers, two weeks after requesting their resignations in what he called a "bold reset" of his administration, his executive secretary said on Tuesday. The call for "courtesy resignations" came in the wake of the disappointing performances by Marcos-backed candidates in the country's recent midterm elections. Speaking at a press briefing, Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin confirmed that Marcos had decided to keep several key officials, including the secretaries of agriculture, education, labour, health, and social welfare. Marcos had earlier maintained his core economic team, along with the heads of the defense, justice, and interior departments. Bersamin also clarified that Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo will remain in his role until Congress confirms his appointment as the Philippines' permanent representative to the United Nations. Manalo was initially expected to step down by July 31. Performance reviews for other senior officials, including undersecretaries, are still ongoing, Bersamin added. "If you are asking for blood, there will still be blood," he said, suggesting further changes could follow.
Sinar Daily
26-05-2025
- Business
- Sinar Daily
Philippines Marcos replaces foreign minister in reshuffle
The announcement came a day after Marcos called on all of his cabinet secretaries to resign in a "bold reset" of his administration. 26 May 2025 01:50pm Philippines' President Ferdinand Marcos Jr attends the plenary session at the 46th Asean Summit in Kuala Lumpur on May 26, 2025. - (Photo by Jam STA ROSA / AFP) MANILA - Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos has replaced his foreign minister but kept his economic team, a senior official said Friday. The announcement came a day after Marcos called on all of his cabinet secretaries to resign in a "bold reset" of his administration. Department of Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo will be replaced by Undersecretary Theresa Lazaro effective July 31, according to a palace briefing. Manalo will instead be appointed as the Philippines' permanent representative to the United Nations. Analysts told AFP on Thursday that the cabinet revamp was aimed at reviving popularity after Marcos' party saw disappointing mid-term election results. "I'm not calling it a 'purge', it is a cleansing... More action will be coming," Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin said at the briefing. The outgoing foreign minister will still accompany Marcos to the Asean Leaders' Summit in Malaysia next week. The cabinet shuffle will also see the environment secretary replaced by the energy secretary, but other posts are still undergoing "more careful evaluations", Bersamin said. Marcos meanwhile plans to keep his secretaries of finance, trade, budget and economic planning. "The president decided to retain these five members of the economic team so that there will be no more problems of perception about where the country is going," Bersamin added. - AFP
