Marcos keeps Cabinet mostly unchanged after ‘bold reset’ call

PHILIPPINE President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. has kept most of his Cabinet secretaries, his executive secretary said on Tuesday, two weeks after seeking their resignation in what he called a “bold reset” of his government.

- By Chloe Mari A. Hufana Reporter

The President accepted four more resignations, Executive Secretary Lucas P. Bersamin told reporters on Tuesday.

He said Mr. Marcos had kept several key officials, including the secretaries of Agriculture, Education, Labor, Health and Social Welfare.

The call for “courtesy resignations” came in the wake of the disappointing performances by Marcos-backed candidates in the May 12 midterm elections.

The President earlier kept his core economic team, along with the heads of the Defense, Justice and Interior and Local Government departments.

Mr. Bersamin also said Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique A. Manalo would remain in his role until Congress confirms his appointment as the Philippines’ permanent representative to the United Nations. He was initially expected to step down by July 31.

Performance reviews for other senior officials, including undersecretaries, were ongoing, Mr. Bersamin said. “If you are asking for blood, there will still be blood,” he added, suggesting further changes could follow.