Marcos evaluating need for leadership changes in government agencies

Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro said that President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. is evaluating whether change is needed in the leadership of government agencies.

This comes as government agencies have seen leadership changes recently, most notably in the Department of Transportation and the Presidential Communications Office.

According to Castro, there are no imminent leadership changes in government agencies as of now.

Earlier, rumors circulated that Department of Information and Communications Technology Secretary Ivan Uy would be replaced, along with the head of the Presidential Security Command, Major General Jesus Nelson B. Morales.

Castro denied that such changes will take place, at least for now.

“As of now, not yet. It’s still under evaluation; there has been no removal, transition, transfer of position – nothing yet,” she told reporters in a press briefing.

“The President is still evaluating if there’s a need for a change of leaders in each department. So, we don't have any yet; everything is under evaluation,” she added.

Castro stressed that the recent changes in government leadership came from the heads of agencies themselves and not from the President.

“There are Cabinet members who are resigning. So, the President cannot refuse if a Cabinet member or secretary really wants to resign. Like Secretary Cesar Chavez, his resignation was voluntary, so there is nothing we can do but find his replacement. So, that is just what is happening,” she said.

Meanwhile, when asked if the Presidential Communications Office will be asking its officials to hand in courtesy resignations like what the Department of Transportation has done under the new leadership of Secretary Vince Dizon, Castro said no one has filed courtesy resignations yet, nor has it been requested, but new chief Jay Ruiz has said that there will be changes in personnel.

“As of now, we haven't received anything yet, but we had a meeting and he actually said that there will be changes and that some may be retained, some may leave. So, let's wait for what the order from Sec. Jay Ruiz will be,” she said.