Keeps Bersamin, core economic team; More revamp coming

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has decided to keep Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin and five Cabinet secretaries from his economic team while replacing the heads of four major departments – the first tranche of a major shake-up to “recalibrate” the government.

Bersamin, whose courtesy resignation was rejected by the President, said “more actions will be coming” in so far as the courtesy resignations tendered by 52 officials are concerned.

“All Cabinet members, presidential advisers and other presidential appointees are always subject to the will of the President of the Republic of the Philippines. We have no illusion about holding on to our respective positions and when the President wants us to be replaced or leave office, we will do so,” said Bersamin, whose own courtesy resignation was rejected by Mr. Marcos.

The President accepted the resignation of Environment Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga.

Energy Secretary Raphael Lotilla will be reassigned to lead the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, replacing Loyzaga.

Bersamin said there was “no issue of corruption” behind the decision to let go of Yulo-Loyzaga.

“Maybe there is just a perception—I don’t know how fair or unfair that perception is—that she’s more frequently out of the country. That’s the recurring thing that’s being brought to our attention,” he said.

“But let’s not judge her anymore. Whether that’s inefficiency or not, that’s not up for us to do, but the evaluation showed that it was time to have her rest first,” Bersamin said.

Energy Usec. Sharon Garin has been appointed as officer-in-charge of DOE upon Lotilla’s exit.

Secretary Enrique Manalo was also removed from the Department of Foreign Affairs, which will now be headed by career diplomat Usec. Ma. Theresa Lazaro starting July 31.

Manalo will replace Ambassador Antonio Lagdameo Sr. as the country’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations.

The senior Lagdameo is retiring after decades of diplomatic service. He is the father and namesake of Special Assistant to the President Antonio Lagdameo Jr. who also tendered his courtesy resignation on Thursday and is awaiting his fate in the Marcos Cabinet.

“The UN role is critical, especially as we campaign for a seat in the UN Security Council for 2027–2028,” Bersamin said.

Meanwhile, Housing Secretary Jerry Acuzar will transition to a new Cabinet-level role as Presidential Adviser for Pasig River Improvement.

Engineer Jose Ramon Aliling, a former Housing undersecretary and president of a prominent construction management firm, will take over as head of the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development.

Bersamin said there was no corruption or underperformance issue raised against Acuzar, but said the latter failed to meet his self-imposed target of one million housing units per year to address the housing backlog in the country.

“You cannot call that corruption or underdelivery. He set a very high standard when he accepted the job – one million housing units a year. There may have been obstacles in his way which were beyond his control and beyond the control of the government,” the Palace official said.

Meanwhile, the President decided to retain his core economic team, citing their vital role in national stability and growth, Bersamin said.

He confirmed the continued service of five economic managers: Trade Secretary Maria Cristina Roque, Finance Secretary Ralph Recto, Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan, Budget Secretary Amena Pangandaman, and Special Assistant to the President for Economic Affairs Frederick Go.

“These officials are beyond question…The President acted swiftly to ensure continuity in economic policy, given its importance in our national life,” he added.

Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. chief economist Michael Ricafort said investors welcomed the President’s move to maintain his economic team, which provides greater predictability and continuity in terms of policies and priorities.

Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (FFCCCII) president Victor Lim added: “As members of the business community, we believe that effective public administration is not only a matter of good governance but also a critical component of a stable economic environment.  This will also enable us to take advantage of business opportunities available for the country’s development.”