Hanoi (VNA) – Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has reshuffled his cabinet, replacing the country's foreign minister but retaining his trade, finance, budget and economic planning ministers, his Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin said on May 23.
The move came after President Marcos asked the cabinet secretaries to resign following disappointing performance in the recent midterm elections.
Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs Theresa Lazaro will take over as foreign affairs secretary, replacing her predecessor, Enrique Manalo, who was named as Permanent Representative to the United Nations (UN). Lazaro will take office on July 31. In addition, the energy secretary will become environment secretary.
The performance review is still ongoing and that further changes are expected in the cabinet, Bersamin added.
President Marcos on March 22 called on all cabinet members to submit their resignations, paving the way for a "major government reset" aimed at better meeting public expectations following disappointing results in the recent midterm elections, according to the Presidential Office.
In a statement, Marcos emphasised that the move was not about individuals, but about enhancing efficiency, coordination, and urgency in governance. He assured that public services will remain uninterrupted during the transition and underscored that stability and meritocracy will guide the formation of a new cabinet.
Following the announcement, three of the 30 cabinet secretaries have stepped down./.
