PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has retained some of his Cabinet secretaries following his call for them to submit their courtesy resignation in a bid to recalibrate his administration.
In a press conference, Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin announced that the resignation of the following officials were rejected by Marcos:
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 Philippines Sharon Almanza
Bersamin said Marcos accepted the resignation of Chairperson and Chief Executive Officer of the Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor Meynardo Sabili, Presidential Assistant to the Visayas Terrence Calatrava, and Presidential Assistant on Muslim Affairs Almarim Tillah.
The President also terminated Presidential Adviser for Special Concerns Menandro Espineli.
Marcos appointed Atty. Francis Edralin Lim as the chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission, succeeding chairperson Emilio Aquino, whose term is set to expire on June 5.
Bersamin said Marcos is also deliberating on his first historic appointment to the Supreme Court. (TPM/SunStar Philippines)