Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin serves as the point man in President Marcos’ Cabinet reshuffle. Although he tendered his resignation, the President declined it—signaling continued confidence in his leadership. (Photo credit pco.gov.ph)
MANILA, Philippines — Nearly a month after the midterm elections delivered a sobering verdict on his leadership, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has finalized key decisions in a sweeping Cabinet reshuffle—marking a shift from symbolic gestures to concrete administrative moves.
What began as a blanket request for courtesy resignations in mid-May has evolved into a full-fledged reorganization of the President’s core team. While several top officials have been replaced or reassigned, a significant number of department heads have been asked to stay on—reflecting a strategy that favors continuity in critical areas while addressing calls for improved performance.
At the helm of the reshuffle is Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, whose own resignation was declined by the President.
“These people are being asked to give fresh attention to their assignments,” Bersamin said in a June 3 Palace briefing. “They’ve been the subjects of intrigues, they’ve been harassed, and this is their simple justice.”
RETAINED: CORE TEAM REMAINS IN PLACE
President Marcos reaffirmed confidence in 21 senior officials, many of whom oversee key portfolios tied to infrastructure, social services, and governance. The retained officials include:
Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. – Agriculture
Conrado Estrella III – Agrarian Reform
Sonny Angara – Education
Jose Francisco Benitez – TESDA
Bienvenido Laguesma – Labor and Employment
Rex Gatchalian – Social Welfare
Teodoro Herbosa – Health
Hans Leo Cacdac – Migrant Workers
Renato Solidum Jr. – Science and Technology
Christina Garcia-Frasco – Tourism
Henry Rhoel Aguda – ICT
Vivencio “Vince” Dizon – Transportation
Manuel Bonoan – Public Works
Juan Ponce Enrile – Chief Presidential Legal Counsel
Elaine Masukat – Presidential Management Staff
Romeo Lumagui Jr. – BIR
Bienvenido Rubio – Customs
Sharon Almanza – National Treasurer
Romando Artes, Leo Tereso Magno, and Antonio Cerilles – advisory roles
Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo remains in post pending confirmation of his nomination as the country’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations.
ECONOMIC TEAM RETAINED
Despite the sweeping nature of the resignation directive, Marcos opted to retain his entire economic team—a signal to markets, investors, and the international community that policy continuity remains a top priority amid fiscal and investment pressures.
The retained economic officials are:
Ralph Recto – Secretary of Finance
Amenah Pangandaman – Secretary of Budget and Management
Arsenio Balisacan – Secretary of Economy, Planning, and Development (NEDA)
Maria Cristina Roque – Secretary of Trade and Industry
Frederick Go – Special Assistant to the President for Investment and Economic Affairs
REASSIGNMENTS SIGNAL TARGETED RESET
Key reshuffles reflect targeted administrative shifts in response to performance assessments and sector-specific concerns.
Raphael Lotilla – reassigned from Energy to DENR, replacing Toni Yulo-Loyzaga
Sharon Garin – appointed Officer-in-Charge, Department of Energy
Jose Acuzar – reassigned as Presidential Adviser for Pasig River Rehabilitation
Jose Ramon Aliling – appointed Secretary of Human Settlements and Urban Development
Darlene Marie Berberabe – named Solicitor General, replacing Menardo Guevarra
Dr. Shirley Agrupis – appointed CHED Chair, replacing Prospero de Vera III
Maj. Gen. Nicolas Torre III – appointed PNP Chief, replacing Gen. Rommel Marbil
ACCEPTED RESIGNATIONS
The following officials had their resignations formally accepted:
Toni Yulo-Loyzaga – Environment
Menardo Guevarra – Solicitor General
Jose Acuzar – Housing (reassigned)
Meynard Sabili – Urban Poor Commission
Terence Calatrava – Presidential Assistant for the Visayas
Almarim Tillah – Adviser on Muslim Affairs
Menandro Espinelli – Adviser for Special Concerns
RECAP: HOW THE RESET UNFOLDED
May 16 – Marcos requested courtesy resignations from all Cabinet members
May 22 – DOST Secretary Renato Solidum Jr. offered resignation (later declined)
May 29 – Darlene Berberabe sworn in as Solicitor General
May 31 – Major reassignments announced in housing, energy, and environment
June 2 – PNP Chief Rommel Marbil officially retired; Torre named successor
June 3 – Bersamin presented the retained list and warned of further changes
MIDTERM IMPACT: POLITICAL PRESSURE BUILDS
The May 12 midterm elections delivered underwhelming results for the administration. The Marcos-led Alyansa para sa Bagong Pilipinas secured only six of the twelve contested Senate seats—its weakest showing for an incumbent-backed slate since 2007.
The coalition’s winning candidates were Erwin Tulfo, Panfilo Lacson, Vicente Sotto III, Pia Cayetano, Camille Villar, and Lito Lapid.
CONFIRMATION PUSH CONTINUES
The Commission on Appointments is reviewing over 360 presidential appointments before Congress adjourns on June 13. These include:
Vince Dizon – endorsed by CA Transportation Committee
Henry Aguda (ICT) and Jaybee Ruiz (Communications) – hearings in progress
Appointees to COMELEC, CSC, and COA
294 senior military officers – hearings scheduled for June 4, 10, and 11
Further appointments, particularly at the undersecretary and agency levels, are expected in the weeks ahead.
RESET WITHOUT DISRUPTION
Far from a purge, the Cabinet reset has taken shape as a measured recalibration—preserving institutional stability and economic credibility while initiating leadership changes in departments under public scrutiny.
“This is about stability, not stagnation,” said one senior Palace official. “We’re keeping what works—and improving what must.”
With less than three years remaining in his term, President Marcos now faces a defining stretch: translating administrative adjustments into results on inflation, infrastructure delivery, and restoring public trust.
This is a developing story. Further updates will follow.
