President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has accepted the courtesy resignations of three key officials while rejecting others, signaling a targeted realignment in his administration’s leadership.
According to Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, the President approved the resignations of Meynardo Sabili, Chairperson and CEO of the Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor; Terence Calatrava, Presidential Assistant for the Visayas; and Almarim Centi Tillah, Presidential Assistant on Muslim Affairs. Meanwhile, Menandro Espineli, who served as Presidential Adviser for Special Concerns, was relieved from his post.
A new appointment was also made: Atty. Francis Edralin Lim will take over as Chairperson of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), replacing Emilio Aquino. Lim, a seasoned legal expert and former president of the Philippine Stock Exchange, is expected to strengthen regulatory oversight and investor confidence.
Despite submitting their courtesy resignations, several top officials were asked to stay, reflecting the President’s confidence in their leadership. These include Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo, who will remain in his post until August, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel, Agrarian Reform Secretary Conrado Estrella, Education Secretary Sonny Angara, TESDA Secretary Jose Francisco Benitez, Labor Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma, Social Welfare Secretary Rex Gatchalian, Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa, Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac, Science and Technology Secretary Renato Solidum Jr., Tourism Secretary Ma. Christina Frasco, ICT Secretary Henry Aguda, Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon, and Public Works Secretary Manuel Bonoan.
Others who will continue serving include Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Juan Ponce Enrile, PMS Undersecretary Elaine Masukat, MMDA Chairman Romando Artes, Mindanao Development Authority Chairman Leo Tereso Magno, Presidential Adviser for Mindanao Concerns Secretary Antonio Cerilles, Bureau of Internal Revenue Commissioner Romeo Lumagui Jr., Bureau of Customs Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio, and Treasurer of the Philippines Sharon Almanza.
