Marcos on Cabinet revamp: Expect rigorous review

KUALA LUMPUR — President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. on Tuesday said that the Cabinet revamp he ordered was not for "optics," adding that the public should expect a rigorous performance review of Cabinet secretaries and heads of agencies. 

At a press briefing with the Philippine media delegation, Marcos was asked for updates on his order to Cabinet secretaries last week to submit their courtesy resignations, with the aim to “recalibrate” his administration following the midterm polls. 

''As we're doing [a] performance review, when we see shortfalls in performance, I don't leave it at that. I look and ask why is that the case and that is why we asked all the heads of agencies to also submit their courtesy resignations because we have to look deeper, not just look at the secretaries,'' Marcos said.

''You know, siguro by now you know I don't do things pang-optics... if there's a problem, I'd like to fix it. So that's what we're doing. Expect us to be doing a rigorous performance review, not only at the Cabinet level, but even deeper,'' he added. 

Marcos did not accept the resignation of Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, who recently disclosed changes in the Cabinet posts. 

The President also retained his economic team. 

Marcos refused to provide details when asked about the latest Cabinet movement. 

The request for courtesy resignations will give 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,'' the Presidential Communications Office said.

The PCO said government services would remain uninterrupted as stability, continuity, and meritocracy will guide the formation of his leadership team moving forward.

Marcos' directive came days after he said that the results of Eleksyon 2025 showed that the people are "tired of politics and they are disappointed with the government." — BM, GMA Integrated News