PNOC chief, 2 presidential advisers axed

Amid the ongoing government performance review, Malacañang has released the fourth batch of accepted courtesy resignations.

The courtesy resignations of the following officials have been accepted: Presidential Legislative Liaison Office Presidential Adviser on Legislative Affairs Mark Leandro Mendoza; Presidential Adviser on Military and Police Affairs Roman Felix; and PNOC Renewables Corporation president and CEO John J. Arenas.

Meanwhile, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has retained the following officials: Government Service Insurance System president and general manager Jose Arnulfo “Wick” Veloso; Land Bank of the Philippines president and CEO Lynette Ortiz; Development Bank of the Philippines president and CEO Michael de Jesus; National Irrigation Administration Administrator Eduardo Eddie G. Guillen. Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office general manager Melquiades Robles; and Philippine Health Insurance Corporation acting president and CEO Edwin M. Mercado.

According to Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro, the latest batch of courtesy resignations is proof of the ongoing evaluation of government agencies and their heads.

“The evaluation is still ongoing and they can expect more names of those who will be retained or dismissed,” she said.

Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin earlier announced the first batches of government officials who were asked to stay or were let go.

Marcos began evaluating the performance of officials of his administration after the midterm elections, emphasizing that Filipinos were tired of politics and were looking for results.

“For me, this is work. If you’re not helping, get out of the way. If you’re not helping us, just get out of here,” he said in his podcast.