ALTHOUGH retained in their posts, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. is urging 21 Cabinet members to demonstrate renewed vigor as the performance evaluation of top government officials continues.
“All of them who have been retained, including myself, are expected to give fresh attention to the mandates and to show more performance in our respective areas,” Executive Secretary Lucas P. Bersamin said Tuesday in a Malacañang press briefing.
Bersamin announced the third tranche of courtesy resignations that have been accepted and declined by the President.
President Marcos has retained the following secretaries.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr.; Agrarian Reform Secretary Conrado Estrella III; Education Secretary Sonny Angara; Labor Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma;
Social Welfare and Secretary Rex Gatchalian; Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa; Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac; Science and Technology Secretary Renato Solidum Jr.; Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia-Frasco; Information and Communications Technology Secretary Henry Aguda; Transport Secretary Vince Dizon; and Public Works and Highways Secretary Manuel Bonoan.
The President also retained the following officials:
Technical Education and Skills Development Authority Secretary Jose Francisco Benitez;
Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Juan Ponce Enrile;
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 Secretary Antonio Cerilles;
Bureau of Internal Revenue Commissioner Romeo Lumagui Jr.;
Customs Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio; and
Treasurer of the Philippines Sharon Almanza.
Bersamin announced the retention of officials to prevent further speculations, as President Marcos had requested the courtesy resignations of all Cabinet members and heads of agencies.
“If you will note, these secretaries whose resignations have been declined need to be announced because there have been many speculations that have been going around, and 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.
Bersamin said the President will give individual marching orders to all of the retained officials.
“Definitely, they know that the President demands the highest degree of performance,” Bersamin added.
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