BBM Quit Call Expanded To All Gov't Agency Heads

The first wave of a sweeping government reorganization got underway yesterday, with President Marcos retaining his economic team and the order for courtesy resignations extended to bureau chiefs and heads of agencies of similar level.

- Helen Flores

A memo, dated May 21 and signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, directed "Cabinet Secretaries, Heads of Agencies of Cabinet rank, other Heads of Agencies, Presidential Advisers/Assistants" to tender their "unqualified courtesy resignation."

The Presidential Communications Office on Thursday issued a press statement saying that Marcos sought the courtesy resignations of Cabinet secretaries, but there was no mention that the directive included other heads of agencies. Bersamin said until the President makes a decision on their respective resignations, the concerned officials are to remain in their posts and perform duties and functions.

Marcos let go of some key officials for what Malacañang sees as cases of "underperformance" or "under delivery." Bersamin said Finance Secretary Ralph Recto, Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman, Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan, Trade Secretary Cristina Roque and Special Assistant to the President for Investment and Economic Affairs Frederick Go would stay in their respective posts.

Bersamin, who was retained by the President, said this was the first action taken by the President due to the importance of the economic managers in the country.

"So the President decided to retain these five members of the economic team so that there will be no more problems with perception about where the country is going," Bersamin said in a press conference at Malacañang yesterday.

"The marching order of the President is to enhance the economic situation in the eyes of the outside world and here in the Philippines," he said.

Bersamin's announcement came a day after Marcos ordered all Cabinet members to submit their courtesy resignations as part of the administration's recalibration after the midterm elections.

Bersamin said around 52 officials complied with Marcos' directive and resigned.