Kuala Lumpur: President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Tuesday rejected calls for his resignation, saying there is no reason for him to step down amid his efforts to recalibrate his administration. In a media interview, Marcos stated that his recent directive for Cabinet secretaries and government heads to submit courtesy resignations is not a sufficient ground for him to vacate the highest post.
According to Philippines News Agency, Marcos expressed his commitment to addressing the present challenges in the country, emphasizing that his leadership style is ‘solution-oriented.’ On May 22, he ordered Cabinet secretaries, heads of agencies with Cabinet rank, and presidential advisers and assistants to resign from their respective posts as part of his plan for a government ‘reset’ following the results of the May 12 midterm elections. Despite this order, Malaca±ang assured the public of uninterrupted government services during the transition to a ‘more focused and performance-driven approach.’
Marcos clarified that the broader government revamp was not for show, adding that there will be a ‘rigorous’ performance review beyond the Cabinet level. He reaffirmed his commitment to improving government services to meet the immediate and day-to-day needs of Filipinos. “We are looking at the problem deeply,” he said. “If there is a problem, I like to fix it. So that’s what we are doing. Expect a rigorous performance review, not only at the Cabinet level but even deeper.”
So far, Marcos has retained Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin and his economic team, including Trade Secretary Maria Cristina Roque, Finance Secretary Ralph Recto, Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman, Economic Secretary Arsenio Balisacan, and Special Assistant to the President for Investments and Economic Affairs Frederick Go. He transferred Energy Secretary Raphael Lotilla to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources after accepting the courtesy resignation of Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga.
Marcos also appointed Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo as the Philippines’ Permanent Representative to the United Nations, replacing Antonio Manuel Lagdameo, who expressed his desire to retire from government service. Veteran diplomat Ma. Theresa Lazaro will take over Manalo’s post beginning July 31. Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development Secretary Jose Rizalino Acuzar was named as Presidential Adviser for Pasig River Development, with a rank of Secretary. Acuzar was replaced by engineer Ramon Aliling, a former Housing undersecretary who previously led the Pambansang Pabahay Para sa Pilipino program and Pasig Bigyan Muli Buhay Project.