Cabinet Reset: BBM Orders Courtesy Resignations

Hearing the voice of the people in the midterm elections, President Marcos is promising "sharper, faster and fully focused governance," starting with sweeping changes in his official family.

- ALEXIS ROMERO

Marcos asked all Cabinet-level officials yesterday to submit courtesy resignations, in what Malacañang described as a "bold reset" of his administration following the Alyansa coalition's weak performance in the May 12 elections.

At least 18 of the officials led by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, almost immediately resigned or expressed intention to do so. Even newly appointed administrator of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, Patricia Yvonne Caunan submitted her "unqualified" courtesy resignation.

In a statement, Malacañang said Marcos called for the "courtesy resignation of all Cabinet secretaries in a decisive move to recalibrate his administration following the results of the recent elections."

"This is not business as usual," Marcos was cited as saying in the statement issued by the Presidential Communications Office (PCO). "The people have spoken and they expect results not politics, not excuses. We hear them and we will act," he said.

The Palace maintained the President's call was aimed at giving him "the elbow room to evaluate the performance of each department and determine who will continue to serve in line with his administration's recalibrated priorities." "This is not about personalities, it's about performance, alignment and urgency," Marcos said. "Those who have delivered and continue to deliver will be recognised. But we cannot afford to be complacent. The time for comfort zones is over." Government services will uninterrupted durremain ing the transition, according to PCO, adding that "with this bold reset, the Marcos administration signals a new phase sharper, faster and fully focused on the people's most pressing needs."