Malacañang directed all presidential appointees in agencies, offices, and bureaus under the Presidential Communications Office to submit their courtesy resignations.
Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin issued the memo ordering incumbent appointees to tender “unqualified” courtesy resignations to the new PCO Secretary Jay Ruiz.
Bersamin said Ruiz must have “a free hand in performing his duties and functions.”
The directive applies to all presidential appointees under the PCO whose appointments are not permanent, as well as those in government-owned or controlled corporations (GOCCs) attached to the PCO serving in an acting or holdover capacity.
The memo also requires Ruiz to ensure that all affected personnel are informed of the directive and to closely monitor compliance.
PCO Undersecretary Claire Castro previously said the President is still evaluating the performance of his Cabinet members, and no decision has yet been made on whether more officials need to be replaced.
Earlier this week, the shakeup in the Department of Transportation resulted in the replacement of five undersecretaries, two assistant secretaries, and one official in an acting capacity assigned to an attached agency.
Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon swore into office the new senior executives days after asking officials under the previous DOTr leadership to tender their courtesy resignations.
The new officials are as follows Giovanni Lopez as undersecretary for Administration, Finance and Procurement (replacing Jesus Gonzales); Mark Steven Pastor as undersecretary for Road Transport and Infrastructure (replacing Jesus Ortega); Jim Sydiongco as undersecretary for Aviation and Airports (replacing Roberto Lim); Teodorico Jose Delfin as undersecretary for Planning and Project Development (replacing Timothy John Batan) and Ramon Reyes as undersecretary for Road Transport and Non-Infrastructure – a newly-created position.
Sworn in as assistant secretaries are Dioscoro Reyes for Road Transport and Non-Infrastructure (replacing Jose Lim IV) and Villamor Ventura Plan for maritime (replacing Julius Yano).
Raul Del Rosario was appointed acting Director General and acting member of the Board of Directors of the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP).
Undersecretaries Timothy Batan (railways) and Jonathan Ronulo (legal affairs) were retained in their respective posts.
Editor’s Note: This is an updated article. Originally posted with the headline “Palace orders courtesy resignation from PCO appointees.”
