Palace bares more names of secretaries staying at posts

President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. has retained in their positions some Cabinet secretaries and other heads of government agencies amid the revamp of his administration. 

At a Palace press briefing, Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin disclosed that the following Cabinet secretaries have retained their posts:

1. Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr.
2. Agrarian Reform Secretary Conrado Estrella III
3. Education Secretary Sonny Angara
4. Labor Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma
5. Social Welfare and Development Secretary Rex Gatchalian
6. Health Secretary Ted Herbosa
7. Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac
8. Science and Technology Secretary Renato Solidum
9. Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco
10. Information and Communications Technology Secretary Henry Aguda
11. Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon
12. Public Works and Highways Secretary Manny Bonoan
13. Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Juan Ponce Enrile
14. Metropolitan Manila Development Authority chairman Romando Artes
15. Bureau of Internal Revenue Commissioner Romeo Lumagui Jr.
16. Presidential Management Staff Secretary Elaine Masukat
17. Bureau of Customs Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio
18. Mindanao Development Authority Chief Leo Tereso Magno
19. Presidential Adviser on Mindanao Concerns Antonio Cerilles
20. National Treasurer Sharon Almanza
21. Technical Education and Skills Development Authority Director General Kiko Benitez

Bersamin also announced that the courtesy resignations of the following individuals have been accepted:

1. Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor Chairperson Meynardo Sabili
2. Presidential Assistant for the Visayas Terence Calatrava
3. Presidential Assistant on Muslim Affairs Almarim Tillah
4. Presidential Adviser for Special Concerns Menandro Espineli

Bersamin said the performance evaluation of the other government officials continues, including GOCC heads. 

''If you are asking for blood, there will still be blood... but you know, we are still undertaking, continuing performance evaluations even of those undersecretaries or those who are lower than the Cabinet rank, functionaries,'' Bersamin said. 

''I assure you that this is a very sweeping and thorough evaluation made by the President and the panel of his choice,'' he added. 

Those retained are expected to give fresh attention to their mandates and show better performance, according to Bersamin. 

''These secretaries whose resignations have been declined, need to be announced, because there have been many speculations that have been going round and they have been the victims of intrigues and harassment from their quarters," Bersamin said.

"That is why we came out today with an announcement of who they are because it’s just simple justice to them,'' he added.

Marcos has not made any decision yet as regards to the National Security Adviser, Presidential Communications Office Secretary, Special Assistant to the President, Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity, Presidential Adviser for Poverty Alleviation, Presidential Legislative Liaison Office, Presidential Assistant on Maritime Affairs, and the Presidential Adviser on Military and Police Affairs.

Marcos after the elections asked his Cabinet members and other heads of government agencies to submit their courtesy resignations, to recalibrate his administration. 

He said that the Cabinet revamp was not for "optics," emphasizing that the public should expect a rigorous performance review of Cabinet secretaries and agency heads. 

Marcos had retained his economic team, as well as Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla, Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla, and Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro. –NB, GMA Integrated News