PRESIDENT Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. has retained former Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief of staff Eduardo Año as National Security Adviser, Palace Press Officer Attorney Claire Castro confirmed on Tuesday, June 10, 2025.
"The President agrees that he can continue to do the fine job he has been doing, maaaring manatili si Sec. Año hangga’t kakayanin ng kanyang kalusugan (Secretary Año may remain as long as his health permits),” she said, adding that Año has been dealing with health issues since the Covid-19 pandemic.
In a separate interview, Marcos stated that Cabinet officials' performance assessments will occur quarterly.
Marcos previously asked Cabinet members for their courtesy resignations, citing a need for a "reset" to "realign government with the people's expectations."
The chief executive clarified that this was not a cabinet revamp but that more changes are expected.
“What happened really here was that I put everyone on notice that you are all on, basically all on probation,” Marcos said.
“This is something, it is essentially putting all government agencies, departments on notice that we have to do better. And we will be looking very, very closely and we will make that review on a periodic basis, maybe quarterly basis. We’ll see if we’ve achieved our targets, on a quarterly basis. And we’ll be much, much more rigorous in looking at the performance, not only at the top level, but all the way. All the way. And that’s why we’ll see, I’m sure you will see more changes in the future,” he added.
Marcos earlier rejected the resignations of several officials:
- Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr.
- Department of Agrarian Reform Secretary Conrado Estrella III
- Department of Education Secretary Sonny Angara
- Technical Education and Skills Development Secretary Jose Francisco Benitez
- Department of Labor and Employment Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma
- Department of Social Welfare and Development Secretary Rex Gatchalian
- Department of Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa
- Department of Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac
- Department of Science and Technology Secretary Renato Solidum Jr.
- Department of Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco
- Department of Information and Communications Technology Secretary Henry Aguda
- Department of Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon
- Department of Public Works and Highways Secretary Manuel Bonoan
- Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Juan Ponce Enrile
- Presidential Management Staff Secretary Elaine Masukat
- Metropolitan Manila Development Authority Chairman Romando Artes
- Mindanao Development Authority Secretary Leo Tereso Magno
- Presidential Adviser for Mindanao Concerns Antonio Cerilles
- Bureau of Internal Revenue Commissioner Romeo Lumagui Jr.
- Bureau of Customs Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio
- Treasurer of the Philippine Sharon Almanza
- Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla
- Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla
- Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro Jr.
Marcos also stated he is investigating corruption allegations within the Bureau of Immigration.
Immigration Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado earlier denied corruption allegations, including the alleged mishandling of cases related to the now-defunct Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (Pogo) in the country. (TPM/SunStar Philippines)