2025 Philippine cabinet reshuffle

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Bongbong Marcos Portrait of President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr (cropped).jpg
Bongbong Marcos

Following unfavorable results in the 2025 Philippine midterm elections, President Bongbong Marcos issued a directive on May 22, 2025, asking for the courtesy resignations of his cabinet secretaries, heads of agencies, presidential advisers, and assistants.

Contents

This was the first cabinet reshuffle in the Philippines since the Hello Garci scandal under then president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. [1]

Background

The Marcos-backed Alyansa para sa Bagong Pilipinas underperformed expectations in the Philippine Senate election, only winning six of the twelve seats up for election, the lowest for an administration-backed ticket since 2007. [2] Political groups opposed to the administration—DuterTen and KiBam—gained seats in upset victories. [3] [4] In the House of Representatives, the Lakas–CMD remained the largest party with 104 of its congressional candidates winning in local races, albeit with fewer seats at the end of the outgoing 19th Congress. [5] President Bongbong Marcos deemed the results a rejection of his governance. [6]

Courtesy resignation directive

In response to the elections, President Marcos issued a directive on May 22, 2025, asking all members for their courtesy resignations to allow for the assessment of each department and to adjust his administration in line with its "recalibrated priorities". [7] As of June 28, 2025, all cabinet secretaries, heads of agencies, and presidential advisers and assistants tendered their courtesy resignations. [8] [9] [10]

On May 28, 2025, the Governance Commission for GOCCs (GCG) extended the courtesy resignation directive to all non- ex officio chairpersons, chief executive officers (CEOs) and appointive members of government-owned and controlled corporations. [11]

Changes in the Cabinet

First phase

On May 23, 2025, Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin announced the initial lineup in the cabinet reshuffle. The resignations of the Secretaries of Foreign Affairs, Environment and Natural Resources and the Human Settlements and Urban Development were accepted and replaced. The resignations filed by the Executive Secretary, the Secretaries of Finance, Budget and Management, Trade and Industry, Economy, Planning and Development and the Special Assistant to the President for Investment and Economic Affairs were rejected and retained in the current positions. [12] [13]

Second phase

On May 29, 2025, Executive Secretary Bersamin announced the second wave of the Cabinet reshuffle, with the resignations of the Solicitor General and the Chairperson of the Commission on Higher Education accepted. Meanwhile, the resignations tendered by the Secretaries of National Defence, Justice, and the Interior and Local Government were declined, and they will remain in their current posts. [14] [15] [16]

Third phase

On June 3, 2025, Executive Secretary Bersamin announced the third phase of the cabinet reshuffle. The resignations of the Chairman of the Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor and the Presidential Assistant for the Visayas and the Presidential Adviser on Muslim Affairs were accepted. While the Presidential Adviser for Special Concerns was dismissed. [17] Meanwhile, the resignations submitted by the remaining Cabinet Secretaries and heads of key agencies—including those in Customs, Internal Revenue, the Bureau of the Treasury, and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority—were not accepted, and they will remain in their posts. [17]

The ongoing “performance review” of the remaining Cabinet-rank Secretaries including the National Security Adviser, and the Secretary of the Presidential Communications Office, continued with all concerned officials remaining in their current positions for the time being. [17] Later on, the National Security Adviser was retained on June 10, 2025. [18]

On June 17, President Marcos reappointed Jay Ruiz as Secretary of the Presidential Communications Office and Henry Aguda as Secretary of Information and Communications Technology, thereby nullifying their earlier courtesy resignations, which followed their being bypassed by the Commission on Appointments. [19]

Fourth phase

Then, on June 19, as part of the fourth phase of the ongoing reshuffle, President Marcos accepted the courtesy resignations of the Secretary of the Presidential Legislative Liaison Office, the Presidential Adviser for Police and Military Affairs, and the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Philippine National Oil Company Renewables Corporation. However, he retained the heads of key agencies, particularly those overseeing government-controlled financial institutions such as the Development Bank of the Philippines, the Land Bank of the Philippines, and the Government Service Insurance System, as well as prominent government-owned and controlled corporations, including the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation and the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office. [20]

On June 28, Executive Secretary Bersamin announced the courtesy resignation of the Chairperson of the Philippine Sports Commission was accepted announced the new appointment of Patrick Gregorio as its head. [21] [22]

On June 30, President Marcos subsequently replaced the Commissioner of the Bureau of Customs, although no reason was provided at the time. [23]

Fifth phase

On July 10, 2025, President Marcos carried out another round of Cabinet reshuffles, replacing Jay Ruiz as Secretary of the Presidential Communications Office with Dave Gomez, a former marketing executive and communications director at PMFTC Inc., the Philippine affiliate of Philip Morris International. Ruiz was subsequently appointed to the Board of Directors of the Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO), the Philippines’ de facto embassy in Taiwan. In the same shake-up, Marcos also appointed Sharon Garin appointed as a full-term Secretary of Energy, who previously served as Officer-in-Charge of the department. [24]

Changes in the executive departments

Color key
  •      Joined the Cabinet
  •      Office created or split
  •      Left the Cabinet
Cabinet SecretaryPosition before reshufflePosition after reshuffleRef.
ImageName
Chairman Bersamin (cropped).jpg
Lucas Bersamin Executive Secretary [25]
Rep. Ralph Recto (19th Congress).jpg
Ralph Recto Secretary of Finance [13]
Sec-Amenah-Pangandaman (cropped).jpg
Amenah Pangandaman Secretary of Budget and Management [13]
Cristina Aldeguer-Roque - CA Hearing (cropped).png
Cristina Aldeguer-Roque Secretary of Trade and Industry [13]
NEDA Secretary Arsenio Balisacan 2025 Photo.jpg
Arsenio Balisacan Secretary of Economy, Planning and Development [25]
Interview with Secretary Frederick Go, Presidential Adviser on Investments and Economic Affairs 0-48 screenshot.jpg
Frederick Go Special Assistant to the President for Investment and Economic Affairs [13]
Gilbert Teodoro, 2023 official portrait.jpg
Gilberto Teodoro Secretary of National Defense [16]
Sec. Jesus Crispin Remulla - DOJ Official Portrait.jpg
Jesus Crispin Remulla Secretary of Justice [16]
DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla (cropped).jpg
Jonvic Remulla Secretary of the Interior and Local Government [16]
Vince Dizon.png
Vince Dizon Secretary of Transportation [26]
Henry Rhoel Ratuita Aguda.jpg
Henry Aguda Secretary of Information and Communications Technology [27]
Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. (cropped).jpg
Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. Secretary of Agriculture [17]
DOLE Sec. Bienvenido Laguesma - 2022 (cropped).jpg
Bienvenido Laguesma Secretary of Labor and Employment [17]
20230613-DSWD-DOH-ph2 Press Briefing of Ms. Daphne Osena-Paez with Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian and Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Teodoro Herbosa (cropped).jpg
Teodoro Herbosa Secretary of Health [17]
50th DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara.png
Sonny Angara Secretary of Education [17]
Christina Frasco.jpg
Christina Garcia-Frasco Secretary of Tourism [17]
Sec. Rex Gatchalian (cropped).jpg
Rexlon Gatchalian Secretary of Social Welfare and Development [17]
Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac Official Portrait.jpg
Hans Leo Cacdac Secretary of Migrant Workers [17]
RENATO SOLIDUM.jpg
Renato Solidum Jr. Secretary of Science and Technology [17]
HoR Official Portrait Conrado M. Estrella III.jpg
Conrado Estrella III Secretary of Agrarian Reform [17]
Manuel M. Bonoan.jpg
Manuel Bonoan Secretary of Agrarian Reform [17]
Presidential Management Staff Usec. Elaine Masukat.jpg
Elaine Masukat Secretary of the Presidential Management Staff [17]
Juan Ponce Enrile - 2017 (cropped).jpg
Juan Ponce Enrile Chief Presidential Legal Counsel [17]
Rep. Antonio Cerilles (14th Congress).jpg
Antonio Cerilles Presidential Adviser on Mindanao Concerns [17]
GEN Eduardo M. Ano.jpg
Eduardo Año National Security Adviser [18]
DHSUD Secretary Jose Rizalino Acuzar portrait.jpg
Jose Acuzar Secretary of Human Settlements and Urban Development Presidential Adviser for Pasig River Development [28] [29]
Raphael Lotilla (2).jpg
Raphael Lotilla Secretary of Energy Secretary of Environment and Natural Resources [30]
Aliling sworn in as DHSUD chief (cropped).jpg
Jose Ramon Aliling Undersecretary of Human Settlements and Urban Development Secretary of Human Settlements and Urban Development [28]
DFA Secretary Lazaro - Official Portrait (2025).jpg
Tess Lazaro Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs Secretary of Foreign Affairs [31]
Rep. Sharon Garin (18th Congress).jpg
Sharon Garin Undersecretary of Energy Secretary of Energy [a] [32] [24]
Dave Gomez, PCO Secretary (cropped).jpg
Dave Gomez None [b] Secretary of the Presidential Communications Office [24]
Darlene Berberabe (cropped).jpg
Darlene Berberabe None [c] Solicitor General of the Philippines [14]
Secretary Enrique Manalo - Official Portrait (cropped).png
Enrique Manalo Secretary of Foreign Affairs Permanent Representative of the Philippines to the United Nations [d]
starting on July 31, 2025
[31]
20250224 Oathtaking PCO Jay Ruiz (cropped).jpg
Jay Ruiz Secretary of the Presidential Communications Office Member of the Board of Directors of the Manila Economic and Cultural Office [e] [24]
Sec Maria Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga - DENR Official Portrait.jpg
Toni Yulo-Loyzaga Secretary of Environment and Natural Resources Dismissed from the government [28] [33]
DOJ Secretary Menardo Guevarra - Official Portrait (2019) (cropped).png
Menardo Guevarra Solicitor General of the Philippines Dismissed from the government [14]
Mark Llandro Mendoza - cropped (hrep3610-20220614-154607).jpg
Mark Llandro Mendoza Presidential Adviser on Legislative Affairs and Head of the Presidential Legislative Liaison Office Dismissed from the government [20]
Cropped photo of Presidential Adviser on Police and Military Affairs Roman A. Felix.jpg
Roman A. FelixPresidential Adviser on Police and Military AffairsDismissed from the government [20]
Portrait of Almarim Tillah Presidential Adviser on Muslim Affairs.jpg
Almarim TillahPresidential Adviser on Muslim AffairsDismissed from the government [17]
Terence Calatrava - Presidential Assistant for the Visayas (cropped).jpg
Terence CalatravaPresidential Assistant for VisayasDismissed from the government [17]
Official Portrait of Meynard Sabili, Chairman of the Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor.jpg
Meynard SabiliChairman of the Presidential Commission for the Urban PoorDismissed from the government [17]
Menandro EspinelliPresidential Adviser for Special ConcernsDismissed from the government [17]

Changes in the agencies, authorities and offices under the Office of the President and executive departments

Color key
  •      Appointment as Head of Agency
  •      Agency created or split
  •      Left the Government
Head of AgenciesPosition before reshufflePosition after reshuffleRef.
ImageName
Official Portrait of BIR Commissioner Romeo D. Lumagui Jr.jpg
Romeo D. Lumagui Jr. Commissioner of the Bureau of Internal Revenue [17]
Official Portrait of Sharon Almanza National Treasurer of the Philippines.jpg
Sharon AlmanzaNational Treasurer of the Philippines [17]
MMDA Chairman Romando Artes.jpg
Romando Artes Chairman of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority [17]
Sec-Leo-Magno Portrait 1.jpg
Leo Tereso Magno Chairperson of the Mindanao Development Authority [17]
Rep. Jose Francisco Benitez (19th Congress).jpg
Jose Francisco Benitez Director-General of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority [17]
Official Portrait of Jose Arnulfo Wick Veloso of the Government Service Insurance System.jpg
Jose Arnulfo “Wick” VelosoPresident and General Manager of the Government Service Insurance System [20]
Official Portrait of Michael O. De Jesus, President and CEO of the Development Bank of the Philippines.jpg
Michael O. de JesusPresident and CEO of the Development Bank of the Philippines [20]
Official Portrait of Lynette V. Ortiz, President and CEO of Landbank of the Philippines.jpg
Lynette V. OrtizPresident and CEO of the Land Bank of the Philippines [20]
Official Portrait of Eduardo Guillen, Administrator of the National Irrigation Administration.jpg
Eduardo GuillenAdministrator of the National Irrigation Administration [20]
Official Portrait of Melquiades Robles, General Manager of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office.jpg
Melquiades A. RoblesGeneral Manager of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office [20]
Edwin Mercado President and CEO of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation [20]
Official Portrait of Jose Javier Reyes CEO and Chairman of the FDCP.png
Jose Javier Reyes Chairman and CEO of the Film Development Council of the Philippines [34]
CHED Chairman Shirley Agrupis.jpg
Shirley Agrupis Commissioner of the Commission on Higher Education Chairperson of the Commission on Higher Education [15]
Ariel NepomucenoExecutive Director of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council and Administrator of the Office of Civil Defense Commissioner of the Bureau of Customs [23]
Bernardo Rafaelito Alejandro IVAssistant Secretary of the Office of Civil Defense Officer in Charge of the Office of Civil Defense [23]
Patrick GregorioNone [f] Chairperson of the Philippine Sports Commission [21]
Ched-chairman-j-prospero-popoy-de-vera-iii.jpg
J. Prospero de Vera III Chairperson of the Commission on Higher Education Dismissed from the government [15]
Official Portrait of John J. Arenas, President and CEO of the PNOC Renewables Corporation.jpg
John J. ArenasPresident and CEO of the PNOC Renewables Corporation Dismissed from the government [20]
PBBM-2023-Southeast Asian Games-Philippines-03 Bachmann (cropped).jpg
Dickie Bachmann Chairperson of the Philippine Sports Commission Dismissed from the government [21]
Cropped photo of Bureau of Customs Commissioner Bienvenido Y. Rubio.jpg
Bienvenido Y. Rubio Commissioner of the Bureau of Customs Dismissed from the government [23]

Reactions

Philippine government officials

House Committee on Dangerous Drugs Chairman and Surigao del Norte Representative Ace Barbers remarked that the President's directive paves the way for the removal of underperforming senior officials—particularly those who fail to defend him when he or his administration comes under fire from critics or the opposition. [35]

In response to President Marcos Jr.’s call for Cabinet courtesy resignations following the midterm elections, ML party-list Representative-elect Leila de Lima welcomed the move as a potential reset—if carried out with resolve. It reflects an awareness that the public expects more—more coherence, more competence, and more decisive leadership,” she noted. De Lima warned, however, that without genuine intent and firm governance, the perception of Marcos as a lame-duck president would only deepen. [35]

Business community

The Makati Business Club (MBC) expressed satisfaction with Marcos' economic team and does not expect a major change in that part of his cabinet. [36] [37] Marcos retained the economic team, a move welcomed by the MBC and the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) [38]

Cardema's call for the COMELEC Chairperson to resign

Ronald Cardema of Duterte Youth had asked Commission on Elections (COMELEC) chairperson George Garcia to resign after posting on social media that Marilyn Barua-Yap, the chairperson of the Civil Service Commission (CSC) also submitted her courtesy resignation. Barua-Yap denied resigning, explaining that the president's order for cabinet members to resign did not apply to her, or to any of the independent constitutional offices (i.e. COMELEC and CSC, among others) as it its not part of the executive branch of government. [39]

Notes

  1. Served as Officer in Charge of the DOE from May 23, 2025 to July 10, 2025.
  2. Served as the communications director for PMFTC Inc., the Philippine affiliate of Philip Morris International since 2001.
  3. Served as the dean of the University of the Philippines College of Law since 2023.
  4. The Permanent Representative of the Philippines to the United Nations is not a cabinet-level position.
  5. Membership to the Board of Directors of the Manila Economic and Cultural Office is not a cabinet-level position.
  6. Previously served chairman of the Philippine Rowing Association.

References

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  2. Cruz, RG. "'Alyansa' candidate Ping Lacson says admin machinery 'failed'". ABS-CBN News and Current Affairs . Archived from the original on May 14, 2025. Retrieved May 15, 2025.
  3. Quezon, Manuel L. III (May 14, 2025). "The four horsemen of the apocalypse". INQUIRER.net. Archived from the original on May 14, 2025. Retrieved May 16, 2025.
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  10. Ong Ki, Czarina Nicole (May 24, 2025). "NBI Director Santiago submits courtesy resignation". Manila Bulletin . Retrieved May 27, 2025.
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  12. Cupin, Bea (May 23, 2025). "Marcos accepts courtesy resignation of 3 Cabinet secretaries". Rappler . Retrieved May 23, 2025.
  13. 1 2 3 4 5 Cabato, Luisa (May 23, 2025). "Bersamin: 5 Marcos Cabinet members retained so far". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved May 23, 2025.
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  34. "I LOVE A CHALLENGE–DIREK JOSE JAVIER REYES REAPPOINTED AS CHAIRMAN AND CEO OF FDCP". Film Development Council of the Philippines . July 15, 2025. Retrieved July 15, 2025.
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  39. Panti, Llanesca T. (May 23, 2025). "CSC chief Barua-Yap denies resigning from post". GMA News Online. Retrieved May 24, 2025.