Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo on Thursday heeded the call of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to vacate his Cabinet post as part of the government’s “realignment with people’s expectations.”

In a statement, Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) spokesperson Ma. Teresita Daza confirmed that Manalo stepped down from his post upon receiving the request of President Marcos.

“The Department of Foreign Affairs confirms that in accordance with the instructions of the President, Secretary Enrique A. Manalo has submitted his courtesy resignation early this morning,” Daza said.

Manalo was appointed by President Marcos in July 2022 as secretary of the DFA. He succeeded former Foreign Affairs Secretary and now Philippine Ambassador to the United Kingdom Teodoro Locsin Jr.

Under Manalo’s watch, the bilateral ties between the Philippines and the United States found new heights, with more cooperation in various areas such as economic, defense, cultural, and people to people ties.

During the administration of Marcos’ predecessor, former President Rodrigo Duterte, the Philippines veered away from its traditional ally and developed warmer ties with America’s rival, China.

Mary Jane Veloso, an overseas Filipino worker convicted of drug trafficking in Indonesia in 2010, was brought home just before Christmas last year after more than 14 years in prison.