Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Maria Antonia “Toni” Yulo-Loyzaga has been asked to “rest for a while” amid the ongoing Cabinet reshuffle under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

In a press briefing on Friday, Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin announced that Loyzaga will be replaced by Energy Secretary Raphael Perpetuo “Popo” Mercado Lotilla as head of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

"Si Secretary Loyzaga naman ay magpapahinga muna at maaaring mabibigyan din siya ng isang or ibang responsabling Cabinet position at a future time pero magpapahinga muna siya," Bersamin told reporters.

(Secretary Loyzaga will be taking a break for now and may be given another Cabinet position or a different responsibility at a later time, but for now, she will be resting.)

When asked whether her resignation was due to underperformance, Bersamin replied, “Siguro (maybe),” but clarified that her exit was not surrounded by controversy.

Although there was "a perception that she was frequently abroad."

"I don't know how fair or unfair the perception is, but she is always out of the country. That's the recurring matter being updated to us, ngunit huwag na natin siyang husgahan (but let's not judge)," Bersamin said.

"Whether inefficiency yan o hindi, that's not up for us to do. But the evaluation showed that it was time to have her rest muna (for a while)," he added.

(Whether if its because of inefficiency or not, that's not up to us. But the evaluation showed that it was time to have rest for now)

Bersamin retained

Bersamin, meanwhile, confirmed that President Marcos rejected his offer to resign.

"The President declined the courtesy resignation that I tendered… That is a very good gesture from the President because that is a sign of his manifestation of his full trust and confidence in myself," he added.

He also dispelled rumors that the reorganization was aimed at removing him from office, calling such claims baseless.

"All of the Cabinet members, presidential advisors and other presidential appointees are always subject to the will of the President," he said.

"Wala kaming ilusyon na panghawakan ng mga kanya-kanyang pwesto at oras na gusto," he pointed out.

(We have no illusions about holding onto our respective positions and time as we please).