Top Officials Are Resigning at Marcos' Request. What Happens Now?
It's not as dramatic as it sounds.
(SPOT.ph) One by one, top government officials are stepping down—not in protest, but at the President’s request. The resignations are coming in fast. The question now: What happens next?
It all began on the morning of May 22, when President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. asked all his Cabinet members to submit courtesy resignations for a “bold reset” in his administration. True enough, we're now seeing those letters pop up all over social media. But it's actually not as dramatic as it may seems, if we take the Presidential Communications Office's (PCO) word for it.
According to the PCO, “the request for courtesy resignations is aimed at giving the President 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.” In short, it's a way to figure out who stays and who goes. Dedication is said to be no longer enough for them to keep their post as “stability, continuity, and meritocracy will guide the formation of Marcos’ leadership team moving forward.”
“The people have spoken, and they expect results—not politics, not excuses. We hear them, and we will act,” Marcos said in a statement. “Those who have delivered and continue to deliver will be recognized. But we cannot afford to be complacent. The time for comfort zones is over.”
The shakeup follows the May 2025 midterm elections, where only six out of Marcos’ 11 Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas candidates made it to the Magic 12. The results were seen by many as a blow to the administration, especially following a Pulse Asia survey that showed the president's approval rating plunging from 42% in February to 25% in March.
Noting this context, political science professor Froilan Calilung told ANC the move reflects a president who is responding to public sentiment: “It’s high time that we come up with this because... there hasn’t been any major program or policy that can be attributed to any of his Cabinet officials... For the next three years, I think the president is trying to salvage whatever political capital left of him as to come up with legacy measures that could cement his position in the country’s history. He still has time to make that possible.”
Also read: Who Are Bongbong Marcos' Cabinet Secretaries?
What happens when a cabinet member is removed from position?
The Philippine Cabinet is composed of the heads of executive departments. They are entrusted to help the president on various issues, such as foreign policy, finances, agriculture, social welfare, education, and national defense, among many others. Appointments are usually based on their expertise, loyalty, and alignment with the president’s vision for the country.
They can also be removed by the president at any time.
When this happens, the president has the power to appoint a new official to fill the vacancy, a move that is subject to approval from the Commission on Appointments under Article VII of the 1987 Philippine Constitution. This appointment can be immediate or temporary, depending on the availability of a suitable replacement.
As of writing, over two dozen Cabinet members have complied with Marcos’ request.
- Department of Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon
- Metropolitan Manila Development Authority Chairperson Romando Artes
- Department of Social Welfare and Development Secretary Rex Gatchalian
- Department of Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla
- Department of Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco
- Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin
- Department of Health Secretary Ted Herbosa
- Department of Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo
- Department of Education Secretary Sonny Angara
- Department of Budget and Management Secretary Amenah Faddis Pangandaman
- Department of Finance Secretary Ralph Gatmaitan Recto
- Solicitor General Menardo Ilagan Guevarra
- Department of Information and Communications Technology Secretary Ivan John Uy
- Department of Trade and Industry Secretary Cristina Aldeguer-Roque
- Department of Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla
- Department of Labor and Employment Secretary Bienvenido Estudillo Laguesma
- Department of National Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro
- Special Assistant to the President for Investment and Economic Affairs Frederick Go
- Technical Education and Skills Development Authority Francisco Benitez Jr.
- Department of Economy, Planning, and Development Secretary Arsenio Balisacan
- Commission on Filipinos Overseas Secretary Dante Ang III
- Presidential Adviser for Poverty Alleviation Larry Gadon
- Department of Agrarian Reform Secretary Conrado Estrella III
- Department of Energy Secretary Raphael Lotilla
- Department of Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu-Laurel Jr.
- Department of Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Javier Cacdac
- Department of Environment and Natural Resources Maria Antonio Yulo Loyzaga
- National Security Adviser Eduardo Año
- Department of Science and Technology Secretary Renato Solidum Jr.
- Overseas Workers Welfare Administration Administrator Yvonne Caunan
- Presidential Legislative Liaison Office Chief Mark Mendoza
- Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development Secretary Jose Rizalino Acuzar
- Anti-Red Tape Authority Director-General Ernesto Perez
Also read: GUIDE: How to Write a Resignation Letter (With Samples)
this strange new world.