Nearly all keep posts in BBM Cabinet reset

Bersamin: There will still be blood

MANILA, Philippines — Nearly all members of the Cabinet have been retained in what Malacañang had previously described as a “bold reset” of the Marcos administration.

Twenty-one officials will remain in public service, while four others were let go in the third wave of leadership changes emanating from President Marcos’ performance review of agencies under the executive branch.

Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin said the officials whose courtesy resignations were rejected were directed to give “fresh attention” to their mandates, while those who were told to step down have not delivered on their respective roles.

“They (retained officials) know that the President demands the highest degree of performance, and those who have not been retained know also where they have failed or where they were short in delivery,” Bersamin told a press briefing at Malacañang yesterday.

The officials who will remain in their posts are Secretaries Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. of agriculture, Conrado Estrella III of agrarian reform, Sonny Angara of education, Bienvenido Laguesma of labor, Rexlon Gatchalian of social welfare, Teodoro Herbosa of health, Hans Leo Cacdac of migrant workers, Renato Solidum Jr. of science, Christina Frasco of tourism, Henry Rhoel Aguda of information and communications technology, Vivencio Dizon II of transportation and Manuel Bonoan of public works as well as Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Juan Ponce Enrile and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) director general Jose Francisco Benitez,

Also retaining their posts are Presidential Management Staff Secretary Elaine Masukat, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority Chairman Romando Artes, Mindanao Development Authority Chairman Leo Tereso Magno, Presidential Adviser for Mindanao Concerns Antonio Cerilles, Bureau of Internal Revenue Commissioner Romeo Lumagui Jr., Customs Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio and National Treasurer Sharon Almanza.

Bersamin said he had to announce the names of officials who would be keeping their posts to address speculations about the performance review.

“They have been the victims of intrigues and harassment from many quarters. That is why we came out today with an announcement of who they are because it’s just simple justice to them,” the executive secretary said.

The officials whose resignation were accepted were Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor chairman and chief executive officer Meynardo Sabili, Presidential Assistant for the Visayas Terence Calatrava and Presidential Assistant on Muslim Affairs Almarim Tillah.

The President also terminated Presidential Adviser for Special Concerns Menardo Espineli, Bersamin said.

“The four whom we have named today were probably those that the President as of now has determined, that they have not delivered on their respective mandates. I will not delve into the details because... they are of different categories. But let us assume that the President has good reasons, the best reasons not to continue with their services as of this time,” Bersamin added.

‘There will still be blood’

While the retained officials outnumbered those who lost their posts, more appointees are seen to step down because of the ongoing performance evaluation, which also covers posts lower than Cabinet rank.

“Well, if you are asking for blood, there will still be blood,” Bersamin said.

“I assure you that this is a very sweeping and thorough evaluation being made by the President and the panel of his choice regarding those who will be continuing, remaining in office and those who will be ultimately ousted,” he noted.

Bersamin said the President is still reviewing the performance of the officials whose names were not mentioned in the leadership change announcements.

They include Special Assistant to the President  Secretary Antonio Lagdameo, Jr., Presidential Communications Secretary Jay Ruiz,  National Security Adviser Eduardo Año, Presidential Peace Adviser Carlito Galvez, Jr., Presidential Legislative Liaison Office head Mark Llandro Mendoza, Presidential Adviser for Poverty Alleviation Larry Gadon, Presidential Adviser on Military and Police Affairs Roman Felix and Presidential Assistant on Maritime Affairs Andres Centino.

Manalo stays for now

Bersamin clarified that Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo would stay in his post until he secures confirmation as the Philippines’ permanent representative in the United Nations.

Manalo will be replaced by Undersecretary Teresa Lazaro as foreign affairs secretary.

Under the first tranche of Cabinet movements, Environment Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo Loyzaga was replaced by Energy Secretary Raphael Lotilla, while Housing Secretary Jose Rizalino Acuzar was named Presidential Adviser for Pasig River Development. Former undersecretary Jose Ramon Aliling replaced Acuzar as housing chief.

The second wave of leadership changes saw the President accepting the resignation of former solicitor general Menardo Guevarra and Commission on Higher Education chairman J. Prospero de Vera III and rejecting those of Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla, Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla and Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro.

University of the Philippines College of Law Dean Darlene Marie Berberabe has been named solicitor general while Commissioner Shirley Agrupis has been appointed CHED chairperson.

New SEC chair

Meanwhile, President Marcos has appointed Francis Edralin Lim as the new chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). He will replace Emilio Aquino, whose term will expire on June 5.

“Attorney Lim is a distinguished member of the legal and financial communities. He has an extensive background in corporate and securities law,” Bersamin said.

Lim was a former president and chief executive officer of the Philippine Stock Exchange, former president of the Management Association of the Philippines and is a senior partner at ACCRALAW.

Meanwhile, Bersamin disclosed that the President is deliberating on his “first historic” appointment to the Supreme Court.

“We received the list from the JBC (Judicial and Bar Council) only recently, and he is poised to make his first appointment in that court. We cannot make any announcement yet on who his choice will be,” Bersamin said.

Whoever the President will appoint will replace Associate Justice Mario Lopez, who is set to retire on June 4 upon reaching the age of 70.

‘Smokescreen’

Unimpressed by Marcos’ cabinet revamp, incoming Davao City Vice Mayor Sebastian Duterte believes it was only meant to get rid of former solicitor general Guevarra.

“The mass resignation that happened, I have this theory…I think that is only a smoke-screen to remove solgen Guevarra as they do not want to admit that they cannot answer the questions against them,” Sebastian said in a chance interview in The Hague.

He also dismissed Marcos’ reconciliation offer to the Dutertes.

“That’s purely propaganda of the administration. It’s been three years and it’s been like that, so do not expect things will get better,” Sebastian added.

Bersamin clarified that Guevarra’s refusal to take part in the petitions challenging the International Criminal Court’s arrest warrant against the former Duterte had nothing to do with the acceptance of his resignation. — Bella Cariaso, Helen Flores, Marc Jayson Cayabyab, Mayen Jaymalin, Richmond Mercurio, Rhodina Villanueva