President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has urged 21 Cabinet officials to reinvigorate their efforts, even as they remain in their posts amid ongoing performance evaluations.

“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 Bersamin said Tuesday at a Malacañang presser.

Bersamin also announced the third batch of courtesy resignations that the President has either accepted or declined.

The following secretaries have been retained:

  • Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr., Agriculture
  • Conrado Estrella III, Agrarian Reform
  • Sonny Angara, Education
  • Bienvenido Laguesma, Labor
  • Rex Gatchalian, Social Welfare
  • Teodoro Herbosa, Health
  • Hans Leo Cacdac, Migrant Workers
  • Renato Solidum Jr., Science and Technology
  • Christina Garcia-Frasco, Tourism
  • Henry Aguda, Information and Communications Technology
  • Vince Dizon, Transportation; and 
  • Manuel Bonoan, Public Works and Highways.

Also retained are Jose Francisco Benitez, TESDA; Juan Ponce Enrile, Chief Presidential Legal Counsel; Elaine Masukat, Presidential Management Staff; Romando Artes, MMDA Chairman; Leo Tereso Magno, Mindanao Development Authority; Antonio Cerilles, Presidential Adviser for Mindanao Concerns; Romeo Lumagui Jr., BIR Commissioner; Bienvenido Rubio, Customs Commissioner; and Sharon Almanza, National Treasurer.

Bersamin said the announcement was made to stop speculation and protect officials from unfounded rumors. 

“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.

He added that the President will issue individual marching orders and expects “the highest degree of performance” from all retained officials.IMT